Elasto-optic and electro-optic studies of PZN-PT single crystals

The elasto/acousto-optic (A-O) and electro-optic (E-O) coefficients of Pb(Zn1/3Nb2/3)O-3-PbTiO3 (PZN-PT) single crystals with a broad composition range (i.e. PZN with 0, 4.5, 8, 10, 12 mol% PT) are reported. The A-O coefficients were studied in both hydrostatic pressure and uniaxial stress conditions at room temperature. The E-O coefficients were studied at temperatures from -20 degreesC to 80 degreesC. It is found that the crystal with the composition near the morphotropic phase boundary (MPB) exhibits very large A-O and E-O coefficients. More importantly, the E-O coefficient is nearly independent of the temperature in the studied temperature range in tetragonal side.