Fabrication and device design of bulk and thin film photostrictive materials

Bulk and thin films of lanthanum-modified lead zirconate titanate (PLZT) were fabricated using sol-gel technique. The samples have been evaluated for their electrical, photovoltaic and photostrictive properties to assess their utility in advanced microactuators and sensors. Device based on these materials was designed which will be useful for optical and solar tracking actuators.