Field enhancement and reduction and elimination of remanent light flow in electrooptic bulk and thin film displays and spatial light modulators. Theory and practice

Efforts have been made to examine the mechanism of the remanent light flow problem in ceramic bulk (such as lead lanthanum zirconate titanate or PLZT) and thin-film (such as PLZT, BaTiO/sub 3/, LiNbO/sub 3/, SBN) displays and spatial light modulators. Effective methods of reducing and eliminating remanent light flow by using buffer and capping layers on the surface of the devices have been examined. Several very effective buffer and capping layers have been tested which can not only reduce or eliminate the remanent light flow but can also enhance the electrooptic effect by 10 to 30%. The physical origin of the remanent light flow, methods for eliminating it, and the physical origin of the electrooptic enhancement effect are examined, and experimental results are presented.<>