| 摘要 |
The phase velocity of an optical wave is effectively reduced to that of a microwave frequency electromagnetic signal in this optical deflector. The electro-optic effect is used for a controlled deflection of an optical beam. The angle of beam deflection varies in accordance with an applied voltage, which may be a signal in the microwave frequency range. A device of the invention includes a birefringent crystal having transmission line conductors arranged to create an electric field in the crystal in response to an applied voltage, and mirrors arranged to create a multi-bounce path through the crystal for a light beam directed into the crystal on an entrance path that is non parallel to the mirrors. The multi-bounce path effectively slows the velocity of the optical wave to that of the voltage wave, permitting deflection or modulation of the beam by microwave frequency electrical signals. Devices of the invention may also modulate or deflect an optical beam in accordance with lower frequency signals. A preferred embodiment uses a microwave frequency deflection cell of the invention to conduct analog to digital conversion of analog signals ranging into the microwave frequency range.
|
