Abstract

We present here the realization of fast electro-optic switches based on the use of a combination of angular and electric field multiplexing of volume holograms in lithium niobate crystals. We demonstrate the electrical control of holographic mirrors for switching of the direction of the reconstructed light beam. The term holographic mirrors is used for holograms of plane waves coming from different directions. The advantages of this technique to employ fast electro-optic switches are the simple realization, the low expenses involved, the low cross-talk, and the low switching time. The switching time is independent of the angle of separation between the reconstructed beams and is limited only by the resources and potentiality to apply the external electric field to the material. The switching time of approximately one hundred microseconds for an angular deflection of 50° 32' was shown using this technique.

© 2005 Optical Society of America