Electro-optical properties of (Pb, La)(Zr, Ti)O₃ films prepared by aerosol deposition method

Electro-optically active and highly transparent lanthanum-modified lead zirconate titanate [PLZT, Pb_0.91La_0.09(Zr_0.65 Ti_0.35)O₃] films over 1 μm thick were deposited directly on glass substrates using an aerosol deposition method. An optical transmittance of 70% at the wavelength of 800 nm was obtained for a 4.5-μm-thick PLZT film with a reflection loss of 20% at the film and substrate surfaces. A quadratic electro-optical response with a slim loop was observed, consistent with the expected bulk response. The quadratic electro-optical coefficient was 2.5 × 10^-18 m²/V², comparable to that of films deposited on buffer layers using a sol-gel method. These results indicate that aerosol deposition provides a superior method for depositing the layers of optical devices.