PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT OF OPTICAL ACTUATOR BY DOUBLE SIDE IRRADIATION

This study is intended to improve the photoresponse of an optical actuator with a bimorph PLZT element. Known optical actuators have multiple merits for converting light energy to driving energy but have a slow response speed and large hysteresis. A method developed by us for exposing both sides of the bimorph element to light has been proved through a series of experiments that the response speed is increased and the hysteresis is reduced thus improving the photoresponse. More particularly, an optical servo system was fabricated for implementing the method and subjected to optical servo tests with PI control. As a result, the PI control was performed with much ease when both sides of the bimorph PLZT were irradiated indicating an advantage of the method.