Effects of prepoling and polarization on photoemission from ferroelectric ceramics

We describe the photoemission of lanthanum-doped lead zirconate titanate wh en illuminated with 355 nm radiation, with/without prepoling and with/witho ut the application of a polarizing field. To explain the different behavior s observed, we propose a physical picture based on the defects moving towar d the surface and the donor electrons squeezing into a very thin layer at t he surface. The model and the experimental results indicate that ferroelect ric ceramics could become interesting photoemitters. (C) 2001 American Inst itute of Physics.