Electro-optic modulators (EOMs) are an easy to use and efficient tool to externally modify the phase, frequency, polarization, or amplitude of a free-space laser.
In contrast to acousto-optic modulators, the spatial mode of the laser beam remains unaltered. So EOMs are an ideal choice when several frequency components are required in the laser spectrum. For instance in pumper frequency generation in laser cooling and quantum optics, spectral broadening to minimize stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) in high power fibers, and for frequency modulation (FM) techniques, like FM Spectroscopy, Modulation Transfer Spectroscopy or Pound-Drever Hall (PDH) Laser Frequency Stabilization. The modulation spectrum of Qubig’s electro-optic modulators ranges from DC-coupled phase shifters to high-Q, resonant EOMs in the MHz to GHz.
The GHz electro-optic modulator supplied by Qubig has a custom resonance frequency (f0) from 1GHz up to < 4GHz with a usable bandwidth ~ 1% of f0. The EOM is optimized for free-space lasers and has a large aperture for easy alignment. It is available with a number of options such as temperature control, tunable resonance frequency, fiber coupling, double resonance, and Brewster angles.
Key Features
The main features of the GHz electro-optic modulator are:
- Custom resonance frequency f0 from 1GHz up to < 4GHz
- 50 Ohm input, VSWR < 1:1.2
- Usable bandwidth ~ 1% of f0 (manual tuning available)
- Optimized for free-space lasers
- Standard post mounting (M4 or #8-32)
- Large aperture for easy alignment
- Any orientation for s- or p-polarization
- Efficient modulation, few Watts of RF power for 1 rad phase modulation
- Max. RF power: 2W (10W with thermal mount)
- Dedicated versions available for low, medium and high laser power/intensity
Applications
The applications of the GHz electro-optic modulator are:
- Frequency shifting
- Two-Tone Frequency Modulation Spectroscopy
- Repumper frequency generation (Na-23, Rb-85, K-40, NV centers, Yb-171+ and other ions) for Laser Cooling or Laser Spectroscopy
GHz Electro-Optic Modulator from Qubig
Optimized for free-space lasers
Efficient modulation, few Watts of RF power for 1 rad phase modulation
Max. RF power: 2W (10W with thermal mount)
Custom resonance frequency f0 from 1GHz up to < 4GHz
Dedicated versions available for low, medium and high laser power/intensity