Photostricitive actuator
0301121-90
[DEFINITION]
An actuator that uses mechanical deformation from the irradiation
energy caused by the absorption of light.
[DESCRIPTION]
Irradiating light (ultraviolet rays) onto a PLZT element generates
a high photovoltaic electromotive force between the element's electrodes. The PLZT element is a
piezoelectric element and generates deformation by applied voltage. The combined these effects are
thought to convert light irradiation to mechanical deformation. Photostricitive actuators offer the
advantage of not needing a power supply cable, and their application to switches or photoacoustic
devices is under consideration. They have the disadvantage, however, of a very slow response of
several minutes. One example is a prototype of an optically operated switch that turns on and off
by amplifying tens of times a small optical deformation of several tens of micrometers using a
displacement magnifying mechanism.
[References]
(4)(8)
[Related Terms]
Photostrictive effect