Laser Beam Control by Electro-Optic Devices Using Polarization Reversal

Abstract

Polarization reversal of an electro-optic crystal makes spatial control of the modulation polarity in the crystal. Electro-optic modulators using polarization reversal have remarkable features of spatial modulation suitable especially for microwave modulation. This paper reviews electro-optic devices with polarization reversal. An electro-optic modulator with periodic polarization reversal is an efficient phase modulator in microwave frequency regions with quasi-velocity-matching, which is useful not only in modulators but also spectral comb generators and coherence controllers. An electro-optic deflector with slant polarization reversal in a beam diameter is a typical application. Novel electro-optic devices are possible with this technique.