Description

Electro-optic effect is a change in the refractive index of a crystal as induced by an electric field. By using a laser amplitude modulator that employs the transverse electro-optic effect of a typical LiNbO3 crystal, students can a) understand electro-optic effect and its applications b) be able to measure the half-wave voltage and electro-optic coefficient of crystals c) observe a change in optical properties of crystals due to electro-optic effect d) observe the interference of focused polarized light as caused by electro-optic effect e) conduct experimental demonstration of laser communication. This experimental system can be used to conduct the following experiments: 1. Display electro-optic modulation waveform 2. Observe electro-optic modulation phenomenon 3. Measure half-wave voltage of electro-optic crystal 4. Calculate electro-optic coefficient 5. Demonstrate optical communication using electro-optic modulation technique