Abstract

We demonstrate microwave modulation of an optical beam by using the electro-optic effect in total internal reflection near the critical angle. An internally reflected mode-locked laser beam and a microwave field electro-optically interact near the surface of a KDP crystal to produce new modulation frequencies in the reflected beam. Its microwave sensitivity is approximately $3\hspace{0.17em}\text{mV}/\sqrt{\text{Hz}}$. This technique, described by the boundary-value problem of nonlinear optics, provides a sensitive method to study the physical nature of the electro-optic effect in total internal reflection. Fundamental optical and electrical properties of the electro-optic effect in total internal reflection are presented.

© 1992 Optical Society of America

Theory of and experiment with the electro-optic effect in internal reflection near the critical angle

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