Optical Properties of PZT, PLZT, and PNZT Thin Films

Abstract

AbstractOptical properties were investigated for undoped, La-doped, and Nd-doped Pb(ZrxTi1-x)O3 thin films deposited on sapphire substrates by metalorganic decomposition (MOD) process. Refractive index and extinction coefficient of these films were calculated from transmission spectra in the wavelength range of 300 to 2000 nm. The packing densities of these films were calculated from the refractive index data by using the effective medium approximation. Band gap energies of these films were also reported under the assumption of direct band-to-band transition. The refractive index and band gap energy of PZT films showed a linear dependence on Zr/Ti ratio. The refractive index decreased, while the band gap energy increased with increasing zirconium content. It was also found that both La-doped and Nd-doped PZT films had higher refractive indices than those of undoped PZT films with the same Zr/Ti ratio (50/50).