Photodriven Relay Using PLZT Ceramics

Abstract

Photostriction, nlhich is explainable by the superposition of the bulk photovoltaic effect and piezoelectricity, has been investigated in solid solution ceramics (Pb,La)(Zr,Ti)O 3 (3/52/48). Photostriction is strongly dependent on the the history of sample preparation, grain size and remanent polarization. Using PLZT(3/52/48) ceramics, a photodriven relay has been fabricated as a trial photostrictive actuator. This relay consists of an optomechanical bimorph-type actuator and a snap action switch. The relay response has been analyzed on the basis of the photostrictive material characteristics and the shape of the bimorph.