Electric-field-controlled optical switch using Kerr effect and gradient of the composition ratio Nb/(Ta + Nb)

Journal Article · Tue Mar 15 00:00:00 EDT 2016 · Materials Research Bulletin

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/J.MATERRESBULL.2015.11.003· OSTI ID:22581456

Gong, Dewei ^[1]; Liang, Yonggan; Ou, Wenjing; Wang, Jianjun; Wu, You ^[1]; Liu, Bing ^[2]; Zhou, Zhongxiang ^[1]

---

1. Department of Physics, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001 (China)
2. New Materials Institute, Sandong Academy of Sciences, Jinan 250014 (China)

Highlights: • An abnormal laser deflection phenomenon in KTN crystals is demonstrated. • The origin of the deflection phenomenon was discussed in detail. • By exploiting the deflection, we have designed an optical switch. • The g{sub 11}/g{sub 12} ratio (>10), wavelength range(491–1064 nm), and I–V characteristics (0–800 V) were studied. • The extinction ratio (0–1) and influence of the photorefractive effect were studied. - Abstract: By exploiting the Kerr effect and the gradient of the composition ratio m, Nb/(Ta + Nb) in mol%, in KTa{sub 1−x}Nb{sub x}O{sub 3} (KTN) crystals, we have designed an electric-field-controlled optical switch. The operating principle of the switch is described. During the switching process, the incident linearly polarized beam is orthogonally deflected as it propagates through the crystals. The g{sub 11}/g{sub 12} ratio (>10), wavelength range (491–1064 nm), I–V characteristics (0–800 V), extinction ratio (0–1), gradient of Curie temperature (21–22.9 °C), response time that may be in ns order, and influence of the photorefractive effect were studied. The results show that our design provides a new kind of optical switch with macro scale (mm order), adjustable extinction ratio (0–1), wide wavelength range (491–1064 nm).

• OSTI ID: 22581456
• Journal Information: Materials Research Bulletin, Vol. 75; Other Information: Copyright (c) 2015 Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands, All rights reserved.; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0025-5408
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
CONCENTRATION RATIO
CRYSTAL GROWTH
CRYSTALS
CURIE POINT
DIELECTRIC MATERIALS
ELECTRIC CONDUCTIVITY
ELECTRIC FIELDS
KERR EFFECT
LASER RADIATION
NIOBATES
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
POLARIZED BEAMS
POTASSIUM COMPOUNDS
TANTALUM COMPOUNDS