Abstract

Periodically poled lithium niobate (PPLN) is currently used for frequency conversions using quasi-phase-matching, thanks to its high nonlinear coefficients and mature poling process. PPLN can also be attractive for electro-optic (EO) applications. Several studies have been conducted on PPLN-based EO deflectors, and recent realizations have lower the required applied voltage under hundred volts [1]. Indeed, for practical EO applications drive voltages as low as 5 V are usually required. For this purpose, we use a recent technique to realize high-quality isolated crystalline film out of LN [2] to implement an EO Bragg deflector with a drive voltage below 10 V. In this work we present an efficient spatial light deflector working for extraordinary or ordinary light polarization using the EO effect in a thinned PPLN planar waveguide confined between two silica layers on a silicon substrate, which allows the deflection of the light under the effect of a low electrical voltage.

© 2017 IEEE