Title :
Nanosecond response of Bragg deflectors in periodically poled LiNbO3
Author :
Gnewuch, Harald ; Pannell, Christopher N. ; Ross, Graeme W. ; Smith, Peter G R ; Geiger, Harald
Author_Institution :
Sch. of Phys. Sci., Kent Univ., Canterbury, UK
Abstract :
For the first time, transients are measured for a bulk-optical Bragg-deflector based on an electrooptically (EO) induced grating in periodically poled LiNbO/sub 3/ (PPLN). Optical pulse risetimes of 1.2 ns are reported with a first-order diffraction efficiency of 76% for circular Gaussian beams. The fast risetime is accounted for by a substantially suppressed excitation of acoustic thickness modes and careful electrode design. For many applications, the device could replace both acoustooptical Bragg-deflectors and conventional EO amplitude modulators due to a fivefold reduction in risetime and fourfold reduction in drive power, respectively.
Keywords :
Bragg gratings; acousto-optical deflectors; dielectric polarisation; electro-optical modulation; high-speed optical techniques; lithium compounds; optical materials; transients; 1.2 ns; 76 percent; Bragg deflectors; EO amplitude modulators; LiNbO/sub 3/; acoustic thickness modes; acoustooptical Bragg-deflectors; bulk-optical Bragg-deflector; careful electrode design; circular Gaussian beams; drive power; electrooptically induced grating; first-order diffraction efficiency; nanosecond response; optical pulse risetimes; periodically poled LiNbO/sub 3/; transients; Acoustic beams; Acoustic devices; Acoustic diffraction; Bragg gratings; Electrodes; Electrooptic deflectors; Electrooptic modulators; Optical diffraction; Optical pulses; Time measurement;
Journal_Title :
Photonics Technology Letters, IEEE
