Electrostatic Optical Motor Using PLZT Elements (Driving Mechanism and Fundamental Experiment)

Abstract

PLZT element has a characteristic that mechanical strain is occurred by photostrictive effect when exposed to ultraviolet light. The photostrictive effect is multiple effect of photovoltaic effect and piezoelectric effect. Up to now optical actuators that make use the photostrictive effect have been studied. But, its displacement is not so large. Therefore, this paper proposes an electrostatic optical motor driven by optical energy. lt is a new type of actuator that makes use of the photovoltaic effect and electrostatic force. The high voltage generated by photovoltaic effect when exposed to ultraviolet light causes electrostatic force. And, the electrostatic force drives the electrostatic optical motor. This new type motor has some superior characteristics such as non-contact energy supply, large rotational motion and the like. A driving mechanism of the electrostatic optical motor is described, and a result of a fundamental experiment for verifying the driving mechanism is discussed.