Electrode Configuration For Electro-Optic Modulators

摘要

An electro-optic modulator for high voltage applications exhibits reduced corona and arcing by utilizing dielectric-coated electrodes in conjunction with a non-centrosymmetric crystal. The inclusion of an insulative coating (i.e., a dielectric material) on at least a portion of the electrodes reduces the possibility of arcing or corona, without requiring the application of any type of coating material directly on the crystal itself. Thus, the birefringent response of the crystal is not impacted by this coated electrode configuration of the present invention. In one configuration, the exposed surfaces of the electrodes are coated with an insulative material, while maintaining a direct contact between the electrodes and the surface of the crystal.

主权项

1. An electro-optic modulator comprising:
a non-centrosymmetric crystal that exhibits changes in internal birefringence in response to an applied voltage, the non-centrosymmetric crystal having opposing major surfaces; electrodes coupled to the opposing major surfaces of the non-centrosyrnmetric crystal with at least one electrode including a dielectric coating over at least a portion of its external surface, the coating of a thickness sufficient to reduce arcing in the presence of voltages in excess of 1000 volts.