Piezoelectric/electrostrictive device

Abstract

A piezoelectric/electrostrictive device is provided, including a pair of mutually opposing thin plate sections and a fixation section for supporting the thin plate sections. A piezoelectric/electrostrictive element is arranged on each of the thin plate sections. The piezoelectric/electrostrictive device also includes movable sections defined by at least first end portions of the thin plate sections and a material which is different from that of the thin plate section.

1 . A piezoelectric/electrostrictive device comprising: 
 a pair of mutually opposing thin plate sections, each of said pair of thin plate sections having a piezoelectric/electrostrictive element arranged thereon; and    a fixation section for supporting said thin plate sections;    wherein a driving voltage having a first waveform is applied to said piezoelectric/electrostrictive element arranged on one of said pair of thin plate sections, and    wherein another driving voltage having a second waveform is applied to said piezoelectric/electrostrictive element arranged on the other of said pair of thin plate sections, said second waveform having a phase different from that of said first waveform by 180 degrees.