Surface relief diffraction gratings for modulation enhancement in PLZT thin films

Abstract

Azobenzene polymer surface relief diffraction gratings were inscribed on relaxor ferroelectric Lead Lanthanum Zirconate Titanate (PLZT) thin films having a (9/65/35) composition. Resonance structures were observed in the reflected intensity spectra of a laser light beam onto these films, indicating coupling of the incident light. An ac electric field was then applied along the thickness of the PLZT films and an electro-optic modulation signal was measured as a function of the incidence angle of the laser beam. It was found that the resonance structures increased the modulation signal of the PLZT thin films at constant field amplitude.