Refractive Index Memory Effect of Ferroelectric Materials Induced by Electrical Imprint Field

Ferroelectric materials are widely studied for optical applications. In the presence of an imprint electrical field, the various properties of ferroelectric materials, such as strain, permittivity, and refractive index, can have memory effects on two stable values in the absence of an electrical field depending on the polarization state. In this paper, the possibility of the refractive index memory effect was examined. Using a lead lanthanum zirconate titanate (PLZT) optical switch with a prism-shaped electrode, it was confirmed that the refractive index has two stable values with the control of imprint electrical field. Under pulsed voltage operation, this optical switch demonstrated the above memory effects. By using this operation, the energy consumption decreases, and a simple operation becomes possible.