Strain Effects in Electrooptic Light Modulators

Abstract

The KDP rod in an electrooptic light modulator is heated uniformly in its cross section by the rf field but is cooled only at the surface. Therefore, a radial thermal gradient exists in the rod. We show experimentally and analytically that this gradient degrades the performance of the device when operated as an intensity modulator. For example, about 2 W dissipated in a cylindrical KDP rod of any dimensions will reduce the degree of intensity modulation by one half. The sources and effects of random-phase retardation are also considered briefly.

© 1964 Optical Society of America

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