摘要 |
An electro-optic light modulator of the type including a body of an electro-optic material having opposed surfaces and a pair of planar conductive electrodes on at least one of the surfaces of the body. Polarity-reversing drive circuitry applies a voltage across the electrodes, the polarity of the voltage being reversed at a frequency of about 1 Hz or less with polarity reversal occurring either when the light modulator is turned off or when there is an insignificiant voltage drop across the electrodes. This low frequency of the reversal of the polarity of the voltage substantially eliminates drift of the voltage-transmissivity of the modulator, lowers leakage, and reduces damage to the electrodes during a given period of time of operation.
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