Electric field and voltage measurement by using electro-optic sensor

Optical methods to measure electric field and voltage using the electro-optic effect (Pockels or Kerr effect) are described and discussed in the light of the specific requirement of high voltage measurement applications. Innovation of the electrooptic measurement technique is introduced which allows one to measure the vector of the electric field, to maximize the measurement sensitivity, to downsize the sensor, to improve time and space resolution in the field and potential distribution measurement and then to expand the application field of use. The history of a variety of electro-optic methods for such practical applications as high voltage measurement and electric field measurement in Laplacian and Poissonian fields is also presented