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Title: Photosensitivity enhancement of PLZT ceramics by positive ion implantation

Patent ·
OSTI ID:5369257

The photosensitivity of lead lanthanum zirconate titanate (PLZT) ceramic material used in high resolution, high contrast, and non-volatile photoferroelectric image storage and display devices is enhanced significantly by positive ion implantation of the PLZT near its surface. Implanted ions include H/sup +/, He/sup +/, Ne/sup +/, Ar/sup +/, as well as chemically reactive ions from Fe, Cr, and Al. The positive ion implantation advantageously serves to shift the absorption characteristics of the PLZT material from near-UV light to visible light. As a result, photosensitivity enhancement is such that the positive ion implanted PLZT plate is sensitive even to sunlight and conventional room lighting, such as fluorescent and incandescent light sources. The method disclosed includes exposing the PLZT plate to the positive ions at sufficient density, from 1 X 10/sup 12/ to 1 X 10/sup 17/, and with sufficient energy, from 100 to 500 KeV, to provide photosensitivity enhancement. The PLZT material may have a lanthanum content ranging from 5 to 10%, a lead zirconate content of 62 to 70 mole %, and a lead titanate content of 38 to 30%. The ions are implanted at a depth of 0.1 to 2 microns below the surface of the PLZT plate.

Assignee:
Dept. of Energy
Patent Number(s):
US 4391901
Application Number:
TRN: 84-003213
OSTI ID:
5369257
Resource Relation:
Patent File Date: Filed date 28 Jan 1982; Other Information: PAT-APPL-343612
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English