Abstract

This work concerns the development of a bulk Fabry-Perot optical intensity modulator. Marty applications, such as Lidar- Radar, require the microwave modulation of high-power (>1 MW) blue-green (532 nm) optical pulses.¹ Because commercially available modulators cannot meet these requirements, a novel device was conceived, as described in the ensuing sections. The Fabry-Perot cavity, shown, in Fig. 1, was formed by depositing dielectric mirrors directly on the end surfaces of a 1-mm-long y-cut MgO-LiNbO₃ crystal. The cross section of the device is 1 mm² and the mirrors have 90% reflectivity.

© 1996 Optical Society of America