Electrical properties of photovoltaic lead lanthanum zirconate titanate in an electrostatic-optical motor application

An electrostatic-optical motor is proposed as a new application device that uses photovoltaic lead lanthanum zirconate titanate (PLZT) as an energy transducer from optical energy to electrical energy. The photovoltaic electrical power output of the PLZT is transformed into electrostatic force to rotate the optical motor. Movement of the motor was observed but the response was second order. A number of problems must be solved in order to realize a high-performance electrostatic-optical motor. One is the improvement of the photovoltaic properties for high rotation power and fast response speed. Another problem is justification of the mechanical construction of the motor. The last issue is clarification of the mechanisms of the photovoltaic effect of lead lanthanum zirconate titanate to obtain a suitable sample size and electrical circuit. The poling conditions on samples were investigated to improve PLZT for the electrostatic-optical motor. Since electrical conductivity, including dark conductivity and photovoltaic conductivity, plays an essential role in the mechanisms of the photovoltaic effect, the electrical properties of the photovoltaic PLZT were examined quantitatively. A linear relationship between electrical conductivity and light intensity was confirmed in the authorsʹ experiments.