A Simplified Fabry–PÉrot Electrooptic-Modulation Sensor

Author

Lee, D.J. ; Whitaker, J.F.

Author_Institution

Univ. of Michigan, Ann Arbor

Volume

20

Issue

10

fYear

2008

fDate

5/15/2008 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

866

Lastpage

868

Abstract

A simplified electrooptic (EO)-sensing system that employs a wavelength-tunable laser diode and an EO-crystal microcavity is presented. A theoretical model simulating a Fabry-Perot-based Pockels-effect probe demonstrates that both the EO phase retardation and modulation-efficiency slope of the optical system can be resonantly enhanced. Consequently, it predicts that electric-field measurements are possible using a configuration that eliminates the polarizer, analyzer, and quarter-wave retarder of typical EO intensity modulators. An experimental verification of the concept is presented using thin, uncoated, LiTaO crystals, and an EO modulation signal that is 60 dB above the system noise floor obtained.

Keywords

Fabry-Perot interferometers; Fabry-Perot resonators; Pockels effect; electro-optical devices; fibre optic sensors; lithium compounds; semiconductor lasers; Fabry-Perot electrooptic modulation sensor; LiTaO₃; Pockels effect; electric field measurement; electrooptic effect; electrooptic-crystal microcavity; wavelength tunable laser diode; Diode lasers; Electrooptic devices; Electrooptic modulators; Microcavities; Optical modulation; Optical retarders; Optical sensors; Phase modulation; Probes; Resonance; Electric-field measurement; Fabry–PÉrot resonators; electrooptic (EO) effects; electrooptic (EO) modulation;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Photonics Technology Letters, IEEE

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

1041-1135

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/LPT.2008.921127

Filename

4497371