Harmonic electro-optic modulation using relaxor ferroelectric PLZT ceramics

Abstract

The light transmission through a Lead Lanthanum Zirconate Titanate (PLZT) ceramic film, having a relaxor ferroelectric composition of (9.5/65/35) was modulated at both the first and second harmonic frequencies to that of an applied field. Large changes were observed in the optical path difference within the material due to a combination of the electrostrictive and quadratic electro-optic effects. A theoretical model was developed to obtain harmonic expressions for the Fabry-Pérot transmitted irradiance, and it was successfully fitted to the experimental results.