Electro-optically controlled beam switching via total internal reflection at a domain-engineered interface in LiNbO3

OPTICS COMMUNICATIONS

卷:197

Article

Boyland, AJ ; Mailis, S ; Hendricks, JM ; Smith, PGR ; Eason, RW

关键词: total internal reflection;    switching;    electro-optic effect;    lithium niobate;    grazing incidence;    domain engineering;   

DOI  :  10.1016/S0030-4018(01)01428-6

来源: Elsevier

【 摘 要 】

We report a novel switching method that occurs due to the electro-optic effect under applied field when a beam incident on an interface between anti-parallel domains in a sample of LiNbO3 subtends an angle greater than that required for total internal reflection (TIR). We present data obtained for wavelengths of 0.543 and 1.52 mum and compare this with a theoretical model. This switch has many attractive properties, as TIR is a 100% efficient process leading to the possibility of high contrast ratios; current data shows contrast ratios greater than 100:1 (20 dB). Other properties include relatively simple fabrication procedure, low drive voltages and a wavelength dependence that is less than other electro-optic devices such as Pockels cells. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

【 授权许可】

Free