Open AccessElectro-optical modulation with immunity to optical damage by bipolar operation in potassium lithium tantalate niobate
Author(s) -
Yossef Kabessa,
Amir Yativ,
Har’el Ilan,
Aharon J. Agranat
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.23.004348
Subject(s) - lithium tantalate , tantalate , lithium niobate , materials science , optics , optoelectronics , space charge , ferroelectricity , physics , dielectric , quantum mechanics , electron
A method for suppressing the formation of optical damage in quadratic electrooptic devices operated at short wavelengths is presented. Formation of optical damage is attributed to the generation of a trapped space charge induced by photoionization of impurity ions by the propagating beam. It is shown that in potassium lithium tantalate niobate where the electrooptic effect is quadratic, operating the electrooptic device by a bipolar driving voltage prevents the space charge from accumulating, which inhibits the formation of the optical damage. A 6 hours continuous operation of electrooptic modulator for a 30 W/cm(2) at λ = 445 nm input beam is demonstrated.