Large-Aperture Optical Modulator Materials. Lead Lanthanum Zirconate Titanate Ceramic and Lithium Niobate Crystal Show Promise as Modulator Materials for Optical Transmitters with up to 6-inch Apertures

Abstract

Six categories of active optical materials were found to qualify as potential large-aperture optical modulator material candidates. Two of these, the electro-optical linear Pockels lithium niobate crystals and the ferroelectric ceramic lead lanthanum zirconate titanate wafers showed real promise. Both of these satisfy the requirements of field of view, optical quality, frequency response, and economic availability, and both performed above expectations when tested in an actual optical communications test link. Interdigital lithium niobate electrodes buried on both large optical surfaces of the crystal may further reduce half-wave voltage requirements as well as arcing problems encountered in past experiments. The structural integrity of the ceramic wafer could be increased by developing a bonded version. Optical modulators of increased are structure of smaller elements.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Oct 11, 1977
Accession Number
ADA048163

Entities

People

  • G. C. Mooradian
  • G. M. Meana
  • H. F. Taylor
  • M. A. Monahan
  • R. P. Bocker
  • W. E. Richards

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Advanced Electronics

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Acoustic Waves
  • Diffraction
  • Geometry
  • Kerr Effects
  • Materials
  • Modulation
  • Optical Communications
  • Optical Materials
  • Optical Modulators
  • Optical Properties
  • Optics
  • Piezoelectric Crystals
  • Pockels Effect
  • Refraction
  • Refractive Index
  • Surface Acoustic Wave Devices
  • Surface Acoustic Waves

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Image Processing and Computer Vision.
  • Materials Science and Engineering.
  • Systems Analysis and Design