Optical Modulators

RTP Pockels Cell

Our Pockels Cells rapidly and precisely control the laser output polarization direction as a function of applied voltage. They function as voltage-controlled wave plates. The Pockels cell is an electro-optic device in which the crystal produces linear changes in the birefringence of the crystal (in contrast to the Kerr Effect, which is quadratic with E ). Pockels cells are essential components in various optical devices such as Q-switches for lasers, free space electro-optical modulators, free space switches. Our Pockels cells incorporate wedged windows to ensure 0° offset and to minimize back reflections. For amplitude modulation, polarized light is essential because the modulation process relies on controlling the intensity of light based on its polarization state.