Preparation and optical constants of the nano-crystal and polymer composite Bi4Ti3O12/PMMA thin films

Bismuth titanate, Bi₄Ti₃O₁₂ (BTO), is a typical ferroelectric material with useful properties for optical memory, piezoelectric and electro-optic devices. Its nano-crystals were compounded by the chemical solution decomposition technique. Its structure and size were analyzed by X-ray diffraction and transmissive electron microscopy. The composite thin film of BTO nano-crystals and high transparency polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) polymer was prepared by spin coating. The transmitted spectrum of BTO/PMMA composite thin film in 300–1500 nm was measured. The film thickness d and the optical constants of the film, such as the refractive index n, the absorption coefficient α, and the extinction coefficient κ were obtained using the data from the transmitted spectrum.