An optical E-field sensor

An electric field sensor utilizing a spherical antenna, a bulk electrooptic crystal, and an optical fiber link for measurement of high-amplitude transient electric fields is presented. The sensor transducer, which is based on the polarimetric reflection principle, is located inside the antenna. A laser-generated signal transmitted by a fiber is modulated by the test signal in the crystal inside the sensor transducer. The output signal is delivered through another fiber to the remote detector, where the light signal is converted to an electrical signal. The sensor is calibrated in a transverse electromagnetic (TEM) cell using continuous wave (CW) and pulsed electric fields. Two sensor transducers, one based on a lithium niobate (LiNbO/sub 3/) crystal and the other a potassium titanyl phosphate (KTP) crystal, have been investigated. Results of the sensor calibration and system limitations are presented.<>