ABSTRACT
Ceramics are one of the newest classes of electro-optic materials finding increasing use in such applications as optical shutters, modulators, displays, color filters, image storage devices, and linear gate arrays for optical data processing. Electro-optic materials provide the medium by which electrical information can be transformed into optical information or by which optical functions can be performed upon command from an electrical signal. Polarizers by themselves are able to produce only one form of polarized light, linearly polarized light. To produce circular and elliptical polarization in addition to linear, one must introduce another element to the system. All materials used for electro-optic devices are carefully evaluated to determine properties that specifically pertain to the particular application. The first ferroelectric picture (Ferpic) display device using an electro-optic ceramic was conceived and demonstrated by Maldonado and Meitzler early in the development phase of the electro-optic materials program.
