Electro-optic properties of epitaxial KTa_xNb_1-xO₃ thin films

B.H. Hoerman, B.M. Nichols, and B.W. Wessels.

Optics Communications. 219(1-6), 377 (2003).

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Abstract:

The electro-optic properties of epitaxial KTa_xNb_1-xO₃ thin films were measured throughout the entire solid solution range, 0 <= x <= 1. For unpoled films, electro-optic coefficients measured at 100 kHz exhibited an average value of 4.7 pm/V at x = 0 and a monotonic decrease with increasing Ta concentration. Upon poling with a DC bias field to align ferroelectric domains, the electro-optic response of the films increased. Under the DC bias field, the electro-optic coefficient exhibited two local maxima with respect to composition of 40 and 30 pm/V at x ~ 0.20 and x ~ 0.70, respectively. These maxima correspond to the room temperature phase boundaries of the KTa_xNb_1-xO₃ thin film system. The observation of a sharp maximum in the DC bias field response of the EO effect at x ~ 0.70 gives evidence of easy domain alignment at the ferroelectric phase boundary.

Addresses:
Wessels BW, Northwestern Univ, Dept Mat Sci & Engn, Evanston, IL 60208 USA.
Northwestern Univ, Dept Mat Sci & Engn, Evanston, IL 60208 USA.
Northwestern Univ, Mat Res Ctr, Evanston, IL 60208 USA.

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