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Electro-optically controlled TIR switching in domain-engineered LiNbO3

Electro-optically controlled TIR switching in domain-engineered LiNbO3
Electro-optically controlled TIR switching in domain-engineered LiNbO3
We have developed a novel electro-optically addressable total internal reflection (TR) switch in a sample of Limos that has been engineered to have a sharp boundary between two anti-parallel domain regions [1]. Such a switch can provide numerous advantages including ease of fabrication, the possibility of high contrast ratios (TIR is a 100% efficient process), relatively low drive voltages, and a wavelength dependence that is superior to other electro-optic devices such as Pockels cells.

The LiNbO3 sample is z-cut, and has been patterned and electric-field poled to produce equal areas of oppositely oriented domain regions. The boundary region should ideally be very smooth, and free from residual poling-induced strain. In our case we observe a static index difference at the boundary, this affects the choice of angle for the grazing incidence beam and hence the contrast achievable experimentally. When an external electric field is applied to this boundary, equal magnitude refractive index changes of opposite sign will occur between the adjacent domain regions. If the value of index change is sufficiently large TIR can occur for the incident beam, thereby leading to switching of beam direction at the boundary from transmission to reflection. A schematic for the switch can be seen below in figure 1. (Schematic of switch.)

Light incident on the boundary at an angle that is less than the angle for TIR will be transmitted through it. If however the light is incident on the boundary at angles greater than the TIR angle then it will be reflected with a theoretical efficiency of 100%. As the device consists of anti-parallel regions within a single electro-optic composite crystal the incident beam will only see a change in refractive index when a suitable field is applied.

We will discuss results achieved for electro-optically modified reflectivity versus applied electric field, for light of s and p polarisations, and wavelengths in the visible and the near I.R. Initial results have already shown a contrast ratio of greater than 20dB which we expect to be improved with the optimization of annealing, manufacturing and design parameters.

To conclude, we have constructed a domain engineered electro-optic total internal reflection switch in a sample of LiNbO3. This novel switching approach can be further improved and optimized, but already shows a good switching contrast ratio and the possibility for practical device implementation.
Boyland, A.J.
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Mailis, Sakellaris
233e0768-3f8d-430e-8fdf-92e6f4f6a0c4
Smith, Peter G.R.
8979668a-8b7a-4838-9a74-1a7cfc6665f6
Eason, R.W.
e38684c3-d18c-41b9-a4aa-def67283b020
Boyland, A.J.
7f024ca8-d41f-4aa2-9536-9baa0b8c892e
Mailis, Sakellaris
233e0768-3f8d-430e-8fdf-92e6f4f6a0c4
Smith, Peter G.R.
8979668a-8b7a-4838-9a74-1a7cfc6665f6
Eason, R.W.
e38684c3-d18c-41b9-a4aa-def67283b020

Boyland, A.J., Mailis, Sakellaris, Smith, Peter G.R. and Eason, R.W. (2001) Electro-optically controlled TIR switching in domain-engineered LiNbO3. International Workshop on Periodic Microstructured Nonlinear Optical Materials, Madrid, Spain. 10 - 13 Jun 2001.

Record type: Conference or Workshop Item (Paper)

Abstract

We have developed a novel electro-optically addressable total internal reflection (TR) switch in a sample of Limos that has been engineered to have a sharp boundary between two anti-parallel domain regions [1]. Such a switch can provide numerous advantages including ease of fabrication, the possibility of high contrast ratios (TIR is a 100% efficient process), relatively low drive voltages, and a wavelength dependence that is superior to other electro-optic devices such as Pockels cells.

The LiNbO3 sample is z-cut, and has been patterned and electric-field poled to produce equal areas of oppositely oriented domain regions. The boundary region should ideally be very smooth, and free from residual poling-induced strain. In our case we observe a static index difference at the boundary, this affects the choice of angle for the grazing incidence beam and hence the contrast achievable experimentally. When an external electric field is applied to this boundary, equal magnitude refractive index changes of opposite sign will occur between the adjacent domain regions. If the value of index change is sufficiently large TIR can occur for the incident beam, thereby leading to switching of beam direction at the boundary from transmission to reflection. A schematic for the switch can be seen below in figure 1. (Schematic of switch.)

Light incident on the boundary at an angle that is less than the angle for TIR will be transmitted through it. If however the light is incident on the boundary at angles greater than the TIR angle then it will be reflected with a theoretical efficiency of 100%. As the device consists of anti-parallel regions within a single electro-optic composite crystal the incident beam will only see a change in refractive index when a suitable field is applied.

We will discuss results achieved for electro-optically modified reflectivity versus applied electric field, for light of s and p polarisations, and wavelengths in the visible and the near I.R. Initial results have already shown a contrast ratio of greater than 20dB which we expect to be improved with the optimization of annealing, manufacturing and design parameters.

To conclude, we have constructed a domain engineered electro-optic total internal reflection switch in a sample of LiNbO3. This novel switching approach can be further improved and optimized, but already shows a good switching contrast ratio and the possibility for practical device implementation.

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More information

Published date: 2001
Venue - Dates: International Workshop on Periodic Microstructured Nonlinear Optical Materials, Madrid, Spain, 2001-06-10 - 2001-06-13

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 17150
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/17150
PURE UUID: 50a8809d-ca90-46e4-8739-7bda3ae3559f
ORCID for Sakellaris Mailis: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0001-8100-2670
ORCID for Peter G.R. Smith: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0003-0319-718X
ORCID for R.W. Eason: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0001-9704-2204

Catalogue record

Date deposited: 15 Sep 2005
Last modified: 16 Mar 2024 02:49

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Contributors

Author: A.J. Boyland
Author: Sakellaris Mailis ORCID iD
Author: R.W. Eason ORCID iD

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