Electro-Optic Modulator Tutorial
This tutorial examines the working principles of an Electro-optic modulator for use as a demonstrative tool for graduate and undergraduate students. The electro-optic material used is a single-crystal film of DAST approximately 5 microns thick. This film is prepared by a special method (modified shear method, US patent issued). An electric field is applied across the sample such that the direction of the field is along the dipole axis of the material. Electro-optic modulation is observed for a light beam passing through the film when an electric field is applied. The reason for using the DAST film is that its electro-optic coefficient is exceptionally large (770 pm/V at 633 nm) that produces significant electro-optic modulation even for a single-pass through a thin film and for a low electric field.
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