Optical bistability in plzt ceramics due to thermal focusing

Abstract

The optical bistability in the far-field of the thermal PLZT 10/65/35 lense as a function of the Ar laser power (P), temperature (T) and the thickness of the sample have been measured. Similar to PMN ceramics (T. Chen et al., Ferroel., 143, 149 (1993)) oscillation dependences on P and T were observed. In contrast to the PMN the shape of switching events is nearly symmetric [I(t) ∼ cos{2πP/P ₁ t/(A + t)}, where P ₁ and A = const] and it was impossible to reach the region of periodic oscillations. These differences have been partly attributed to the smaller value of thermal conductivity in PMN.

Key Words:

• Thermal self-focusing
• temporal oscillations
• PLZT