[Object]
It is an object of the present invention to provide a lithium tantalate single crystal substrate which undergoes only small warpage, is free from cracks and scratches, has better temperature non-dependence characteristics and a larger electromechanical coupling coefficient than a conventional Y-cut LiTaO3 substrate.
[Means to solve the Problems]
The lithium tantalate single crystal substrate of the present invention is a rotated Y-cut LiTaO3 single crystal substrate having a crystal orientation of 36° Y-49° Y cut characterized in that: the substrate is diffused with Li from its surface into its depth such that it has a Li concentration profile showing a difference in the Li concentration between the substrate surface and the depth of the substrate; and the substrate is treated with single polarization treatment so that the Li concentration is substantially uniform from the substrate surface to a depth which is equivalent to 5-15 times the wavelength of either a surface acoustic wave or a leaky surface acoustic wave propagating in the LiTaO3 substrate surface.