Coupling of the remanent polarisation in thin film oxide ferroelectrics with nematic liquid crystals

  • John F. Hubbard
  • , Helen F. Gleeson
  • , Roger W. Whatmore
  • , Christopher P. Shaw
  • , Qi Zhang

Research output: Other outputpeer-review

Abstract

The technique of domain visualisation, revealed by a film of nematic liquid crystal (NLC) on a ferroelectric crystal substrate, is demonstrated for the first time to be applicable to thin films of lead zirconate-lead titanate (PZT) ferroelectric ceramics. PZT film thicknesses <1 μm were deposited on indium tin oxide coated glass substrates. Commercially available NLC materials with positive dielectric anisotropy were employed. The electro- optic properties of devices incorporating the ferroelectric ceramic and NLC are reported. The poled PZT grains induce a local Freedericksz transition in the NLC and it is proposed that the ferroelectric NLC interaction is primarily due to the depolarisation field due to the ferroelectric remanent polarisation.

Original languageEnglish
Number of pages6
Edition2
Volume9
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1999

Publication series

NameJournal of Materials Chemistry
PublisherRoyal Society of Chemistry
ISSN (Print)0959-9428

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