LiNbO3 electro-optic light modulator performing 100% intensity modulation at 550 MHz

Abstract

An electro-optic light modulator using a LiNbO3 crystal of large cross section (1.5 × 1.5 mm2) is described. The LiNbO3 crystal is placed in a 3λM/4 coaxial cavity and may be biased by a dc voltage. 100% intensity modulation at a frequency νM=550 MHz is achieved by maintaining the good optical quality of the modulator. The simple arrangement permits the modulation of light of large spectral width without requiring temperature control.