Optical Interferometers for Sensing Electromagnetic Fields
Abstract
This report summarizes the work performed by SRICO wider contract number DAAL02-90-C-0078 sponsored by the U.S. Amy Harry Diamond Laboratories. This was a Phase I research program entitled "Optical Interferometers for Sensing Electromagnetic Fields". The overall goal of the program was to determine the feasibility of manufacturing a nonmetallic electromagnetic field sensor to measure wideband transient electromagnetic responses using integrated optical waveguide interferometers. This nonmetallic design minimizes the perturbation on the electric fields and allows the accurate measurement of large fields. The integrated optic device makes use of a Mach-Zehnder interferometer in a lithium niobate electro-optic crystal material. The electric field sensor uses the electro-optic properties of lithium niobate to modulate the phase of the light propagating in each arm of the Mach-Zehnder interferometer. This phase modulated optical signal is converted to intensity modulation at the output of the interferometer. Conventional, integrated optic electric field sensors utilize a dipole antenna connected to the metallic electrodes on the waveguide channels to apply voltage of opposite polarities on the two channels. This is an indirect method of measuring the electric field.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 29, 1991
- Accession Number
- ADA273712