Measurement of the birefringence in cadmium telluride electro-optic modulators

Gary L. Herrit; Herman E. Reedy

doi:10.1117/12.21699

1 October 1990 Measurement of the birefringence in cadmium telluride electro-optic modulators

Gary L. Herrit, Herman E. Reedy

Proceedings Volume 1307, Electro-Optical Materials for Switches, Coatings, Sensor Optics, and Detectors; (1990) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.21699
Event: 1990 Technical Symposium on Optics, Electro-Optics, and Sensors, 1990, Orlando, FL, United States

Abstract

Cadmium telluride is the primary choice for electro-optic modulator applications in the mid infrared region - particularly at 10.6 micron. In principle, single crystal CdTe in the rest state is only weakly birefringent along the {1 1O} planes. Some internal birefringence does exist, however, due to fabricated-in stress birefringence and birefringence associated with slippage of the crystal along the {1 1 1} planes. When a voltage is applied to a CdTe crystal, the total phase shift introduced by the crystal is a result of the combination of the electro-optic effect and the residual birefringence. This paper will present a method of measuring the phase shift produced by residual birefringence in CdTe modulators at 10.6 micron. The test method is a modification of the crossed polarizer technique. Test results will be presented for CdTe modulators with voltage and without voltage.

Citation Download Citation

Gary L. Herrit and Herman E. Reedy "Measurement of the birefringence in cadmium telluride electro-optic modulators", Proc. SPIE 1307, Electro-Optical Materials for Switches, Coatings, Sensor Optics, and Detectors, (1 October 1990); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.21699

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available