Directly UV-photopatternable PLZT thin films prepared with the Sol-Gel technique

In this study, the sol-gel process to fabricate directly UV-photopatternable lanthanum-doped lead zirconate titanate (PLZT) films was investigated. Photosensitive films were obtained via methacrylic acid modification of metal organic PLZT precursors. Spin-on deposited films were patterned using direct UV-photolithography process. Patterned films were annealed in air, in order to obtain perovskite type crystalline material. AFM and XRD techniques were used for the characterization of the material and fabricated structures. The sol-gel processed PLZT films had good crystallinity, they were crack-free, and had low surface roughness. The films exhibit electro-optic effect being therefore interesting to be used in active integrated optic devices