Author_Institution :
National Physical Laboratory, Division of Molecular Science, Teddington, UK
Abstract :
The effect of a quarter-wave plate on the performance of an electro-optic modulator is considered, and it is shown that, contrary to previous reports, the inclusion of such a plate will reduce the overall sensitivity of the system, unless the detector is capable of responding to the modulating frequency and is followed by a tuned amplifier or synchronous rectifier operating at this frequency.
