Strain-Biased PLZT Input Devices (Page Composers) for Holographic Memories and Optical Data Processing

PLZT-7/65/35 is a ferroelectric ceramic with strong electrooptic properties and memory; it is switched through transparent electrodes when mechanically strained. Matrix addressed x-y page composers for interfacing electrical and coherent optical systems are being fabricated with PLZT. Switching voltages are 50-300 V. Optical efficiencies greater than 40% have been achieved. Strains near 2.4 x 10(-3) mm/mm permit half-wave retardation switching in 100-micro-thick plates with 80-V read-in and 190-V erase levels (60 Hz hysteresis data). A 128 x 128 element array can operate at 10(7) bits/sec with 10-microsec switching in a row at a time mode. Half-select disturbances affect contrasts. Applications in displays are also feasible.