Feasibility of electrooptic devices utilizing ferroelectric bismuth titanate

A feasibility study has shown that Bi
4
Ti
3
O
12
can be used to form a matrix-addressed display possessing gray scale and capable of operating at TV speed and resolution. As compared with other matrix-addressed schemes, the Bi
4
Ti
3
O
12
display has the advantages of high contrast and brightness, low power, no interface connection problems, and a separation of the switching and display functions. The disadvantages are that the elements are size-limited and require high drive voltages, and that it is necessary to fabricate long crystal bars possessing very good dimensional, electrical, and optical uniformity. The unique electrical and optical properties of ferroelectric Bi
4
Ti
3
O
12
suggest that the material could be used in applications other than the proposed display mode. Consideration has been given to using Bi
4
Ti
3
O
12
as an optical selector, in conjunction with a photoconductor to form an optical storage medium, as a matrix-addressed memory, for a transcharger-electroluminescent display, as a bar graph, and as an optical slit.