Photostrictive effect

0202102-91

[DEFINITION]
The generation of strain induced by irradiation of light.

[DESCRIPTION]
The current theory of the photostrictive effect holds that the irradiation of light (ultraviolet rays) on an asymmetric piezoelectric ferroelectrics produces an electric field by the photovoltaic effect, and it causes a mechanical distortion of the material by the piezoelectric effect. A common material that shows the photostriction is PLZT.

[References]
(4)(8)

[Related Terms]
Lightstricitive actuator, Piezoelectric effect