Electro-optical properties of BixLayScz(BO3)4 (x + y + z = 4) nanocrystallites having huntite structure incorporated into polymer matrices

Experimental measurements of linear electro-optical coefficients are reported for BixLayScz(BO3)4 (x + y + z = 4) (BLSB) nanocrystallites incorporated into polymer matrices of different polarizabilities. The nanochromophores in the matrices were oriented by external dc-electric field during spin coating. The measurements were performed under illumination of CW semiconducting GaAlAs laser emitting at 1040 nm. We have achieved the maximal values of the Pockels coefficients equal to 3.5 pm/V for the BLSB nanocrystallites incorporated into the polycarbonate matrices. The optimal sizes of nanocrystallites were below 20 nm and their content was equal to about 7.5% (in weight. units). We have eliminated a contribution to the Pockels effect due to the piezo-optical coefficients as well as due to other bothering factors. The temperature influence is very low (due to low ionic contribution), and do not exceed 6%, which is related to low contribution of electron-phonon interaction to the Pockels effect. So these alloys may be proposed as promising materials for high power laser electro-optic modulators.