Electro-Optic Shutter Devices Utilizing Lead Lanthanum Zirconate Titanate (PLZT) Ceramic Wafers

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Abstract
In 1969 at Sandia Laboratories, optical transparency was achieved in lead zirconate-titanate ferroelectric ceramics by substituting moderate amounts of the element lanthanum (8-12%) for lead. These compositions exhibit the quadratic (Kerr) electrooptic effect. The excellent optical qualities of these materials (designated PLZT) has permitted the practical utilization of their electrooptic properties in a number of devices. All of these devices utilize the classic Kerr cell arrangement. A PLZT wafer with optical axis oriented at 45° with respect to the axes of polarization is sandwiched between crossed polarizers. Since the PLZT material is optically isotropic in the zero field state, the crossed polarizers provide the "OFF" or closed state and large "ON/OFF" contrast ratios may be achieved.

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