Electro-Optic Modulator

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Description

An Electro-Optic Modulator (EOM) functions through the linear electro-optic effect: the linear dependence of a material's index of refraction to a weak external electric field (where "weak" is usually < 1kV for even the best materials). Typical electro-optic materials are Lithium Niobate (LiNbO₃) and Lithium Tantalate (LiTaO₃). This induced change in the index of refraction implies an optical path length change for a beam propagating through the material. Thus, an EOM acts as an Optical Phase Modulator, since the phase of the optical signal passing through this material will also vary with the applied field. Furthermore, this induced phase modulation may be readily used to make both an Optical Amplitude Modulator and an Optical Phase Modulator.