Preparation and characterization of nanocrystalline potassium lithium niobate powders and films

Potassium lithium niobate (KLN) powders and thin films were prepared from m etalorganic compounds through the sol-gel process. A homogeneous and stable KLN precursor was synthesized by mixing the metal ethoxides. Powder gels w ere obtained through the hydrolysis of the solution by exposing it to the a mbient atmosphere. Thin films were deposited on Si, SiO2/Si, and fused quar tz by a spin coating technique. The pyrolysis and crystallization of KLN po wders and films were investigated through the methods of differential therm al analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, x-ray diffraction, and Raman scatt ering spectroscopy. The results revealed that both KLN powders and films co uld crystallize into a tetragonal tungsten-bronze-type phase with appropria te annealing. Optical studies indicated that the films were highly transpar ent in the visible-near-infrared wavelength range and could support optical modes.