Analyses of PLZT Electrooptic Shutter and Shutter Array

Abstract

The driving voltage and light transmittance in PLZT transverse electrooptic shutters composed of interdigital electrodes are investigated theoretically, with the electrode width, electrode gap, and wafer thickness being treated by the finite-element method. A new structure consisting of a combination of metal and transparent electrodes is presented, giving improved transmittance and driving voltage. Furthermore, the finite-element method is used to investigate the optimum driving voltage, fluctuation in light intensity, and S/N ratio in a one-dimensional optical shutter array. The combination of metal and transparent electrodes also brings about a low driving voltage, high transmittance and high S/N ratio in the shutter array.