Effects of Drying Temperature on the Optical Properties of Solution Derived (Pb, La)TiO3 Thin Films

Abstract

Using sol-gel processing method, thin films of lathanum modified lead titanate (PLT) on Corning 7059 glass were prepared. A differential thermal analysis (DTA/TG) curve of gel powder and infrared spectra (FT-IR) of the films were measured to estimate residual organics in them. The heat-treated films were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD). Microstructures of the films were observed by a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Optical properties of the films were determined by a UV-VIS spectrophotometer. The waveguiding properties and optical attenuation were measured with the end coupling method and the cut back method. Effects of the drying conditions on the transmittance and the propagation loss of the films were investigated. Experimemtal results showed that the content of residual organics in the film decreased as the drying temperature of the film increased. As the La content of the film increased, the grain size decreased and the transmittance increased. The transmittances of the films increased with the increasing of the drying temperature. The propagation losses in the film decreased as the drying temperature increased.