The range of the intrinsic nonstoichiometry in lead zirconate-titanate at 1100 °C has been established independently by two gravimetric techniques. A modified Knudsen effusion experiment allowed for an extended interpretation of the vapor pressure data. A single experiment was used to determine the width of any Pb1−x □x (TiyZr1−y)O3−xφx single-phase region, the equilibrium PbO vapor pressure, activity data as a function of both temperature and composition, and the exact location of the stoichiometric composition within the single-phase region. The ``vapor phase equilibration'' (VPE) method was used as a supplemental measurement of the width of most PZT single-phase regions. Results obtained by the two methods for the extent of nonstoichiometry were in close agreement (xmax = 0.10 at y = 1.0; xmin = 0.016 at y = 0.40; T = 1100°C). The Knudsen effusion experiment established that for all the compositions studied, the stoichiometric composition, Pb(TiyZr1−y)O3, was coincident with the (liquid + PZT) phase boundary.
A new chemical process has been developed that significantly affects the susceptibility of LiNbO3 crystals and optical waveguiding layers to the laser-induced effects known as optical damage. The process involves controlling the nonstoichiometry of LiNbO3 by diffusion of lithium oxide. Susceptibility to optical damage in bulk crystals was reduced by increasing the nonstoichiometry (out-diffusion) and enhanced by decreasing the nonstoichiometry (in-diffusion). Typically, low-loss optical waveguides formed by the process supported one or more TE modes and tolerated more than 10 kW/cm2 laser transmission at 488.0 nm without inducing any measurable beam profile distortion.
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