Electro-optic Materials:

PLZT
Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering
NIT Jamshedpur

Presented By-
Shristi Singh (2018UGMM051)
Pallavi Kumari (2018UGMM052)
 Contents
1. Electro-optic Effect
2. Field-induced RI
3. PLZT (Composition & Structure)
4. EO Characteristics of PLZT
5. Making Transparent PLZT
6. Applications of PLZT
 Electro-optic Effect
• Electro-optic effects refer to changes in the refractive index of a
material induced by the application of an external electric field.
• The application of an electric field may induce birefringence in material.
• The electro-optic effect are classified according to first or second order
effects.
 Field-induced RI
If we take the refractive index (n) as a function of the applied E-field, i.e.
n=n0(E), its expansion using Taylor series would be:
n= n0 + a1E + a2E2+.…
Where, the coefficients (a1 & a2) are called the linear electro-optic
effect coefficient and second order electro-optic effect coefficient
respectively.

The change in n due to the first E term is called the Pockels effect.
Δn = a1E 

The change in n due to the second E2 term is called the Kerr effect.
Δn = a2.E2
 PLZT (Composition & Structure)
The lead-lanthanum-zirconate-titanate (PLZT)
materials consist of a wide range of
homogeneous compositions existing within the
basic PZT solid solution system. The general
formula describing all chemical solutions is-
Pb1-xLax(ZrzTi1−z)1−x/4O3

Their crystallography structure is perovskite

type (ABO3).

A-ions:(Pb2+ , La3+ ); B ions:(Ti4+ , Zr4+ )

La3+ substitutes for Pb2+ in the A-site and B-site

vacancies are created for electrical balance.
EO Characteristics of PLZT
Memory
• The EO memory effect depends on the fact that Δn can be set to
different values by applying (and removing) an E field. Once set,
Δn remains constant as long as E = 0.
• This characteristic occurs for the rhombohedral FE phase; a typical
composition is 8/65/35.

Linear (Pockels effect)

• The linear electro-optic effect is when the refractive index of a
medium is modified in proportion to the applied electric field
strength (Δn ∝ E).
• It occurs for tetragonal type compositions at the PbTiO3-rich end of
the solid-solution range such as 8/36/60.
 Quadratic (Kerr effect)
• The Quadratic (Kerr effect) is when the refractive index of a medium
is modified in proportion to the square of the applied electric field
strength (Δn ∝ E2).
• It is obtained between the FE and paraelectric (PE) compositions; a
typical composition is 9.5/65/35.
 Making Transparent PLZT
Single-crystal form ferroelectric materials
possess high optical transparency and useful
EO properties.

For polycrystalline ceramics, special

precautions are taken during processing by
limiting the amount of sources that can lead to
light scattering-

• Hot pressing
• Reducing pore size (below wavelength of light
>0.5 μm)
• Reducing impurities by using high purity
starting materials.
 Applications of PLZT
 Flash goggles- Used by military pilots to prevent
them from being blinded by a very bright flash.

Working:

Under normal illumination- the PLZT plate allows

the plane of polarization to be turned by 90° when a
voltage of ∼800V is applied to the interdigitated
gold electrodes. The light passes through the
analyzer and into the pilot’s eyes.
Under intense flash - the voltage is removed. The
plane of polarization of the incident light is not
rotated and the analyzer blocks most of the light.

• PLZT used is a slim-loop quadratic material of

typical composition 9.2/65/35.
 Reflective displays

Working:
When no voltage is applied to the indium tin oxide (ITO) electrodes, light passes
through both polarizers and the PLZT plate and is reflected from the reflecting
surface into the eye.
If a voltage (∼200 V) is applied to the PLZT the light experiences a retardation of
λ/2 and is extinguished at P2. The activated segments appear dark against a light
background.

• PLZT is of the 9.5/65/35 type, a slim-loop quadratic material