Stability of the properties of an acousto-optical converter based on polyvinylidene fluoride films under external influence

Subject of study. The study focuses on an acousto-optical modulator composed of a polyvinylidene fluoride film with transparent indium–tin oxide electrodes deposited on both surfaces. Aim of study. The aim is to analyze the stability of the mechanical, piezoelectric, and optical properties of the polyvinylidene fluoride film-based acousto-optical modulators with indium–tin oxide electrodes during manufacturing and operation at different temperatures. Method. In this method, the mechanical characteristics of samples under tension are measured along two directions (parallel and perpendicular to the drawing direction of the polyvinylidene fluoride film) at room temperature to perform a dynamic mechanical analysis under isothermal conditions and within a temperature range of 30◦C–180◦C. The piezoelectric coefficient d33 is measured, under temperature variation from −40◦C to +80◦C, using a charge-based method with pulsed force impact, and the transmittance is determined within the visible wavelength range from 380 nm to 780 nm to calculate the light transmission coefficient. Main results. An experimental measurement cell was created to measure the piezoelectric coefficient d33 across a wide temperature range. Mechanical test results for static and dynamic loading of the polyvinylidene fluoride film, both before and after the deposition of the indium–tin oxide electrodes, were obtained. Temperature dependencies of d33 for this structure were established from −40◦C to +80◦C, and the optical properties of the samples exposed to low and high temperatures were documented. Practical significance. Based on these findings, recommendations for the operating and storage conditions of acousto-optic devices incorporating the studied structures, along with guidelines for manufacturing, are presented. © 2024 Optica Publishing Group.