Optical fibre modulator based on electrostatic attraction

• Published in: Optics communications Vol. 190; no. 1; pp. 135 - 139
• Main Authors: de Matos, C.J.S., Margulis, W.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01.04.2001; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Circuit properties; Electric, optical and optoelectronic circuits; Electronics; Exact sciences and technology; Fibre sensors; Fundamental areas of phenomenology (including applications); Integrated optics. Optical fibers and wave guides; Laser optical systems: design and operation; Mechanical vibration; Opitcal fibres; Optical and optoelectronic circuits; Optical elements, devices, and systems; Optical modulation; Optical processors, correlators, and modulators; Optics; Other fiber-optical devices; Physics; Q-switching; Reflectors, beam splitters, and deflectors; Resonators, cavities, amplifiers, arrays, and rings; 42.79.Hp; Q-switching; 42.60.Gd; 46.40.Ff; 42.81.Wg; Fibre sensors; Mechanical vibration; Optical modulation; Opitcal fibres; Optical system; Fiber laser; Optical modulator; Deflector; Experimental study; Q switched laser; Electrostatic devices; Fiber optic sensors
• ISSN: 0030-4018; 1873-0310; 1873-0310
• DOI: 10.1016/S0030-4018(01)01036-7

A fibre-based electrostatic deflector is described that enables modulating the optical signal in fibre systems. A 2.5-cm long fibre length was gold coated and deflected through the application of voltage between the fibre and an external electrode. Static measurements showed that the device is suitable for e-field sensing, and 100% power modulation was obtained for resonant frequencies ∼1 kHz. A peak voltage as low as 2 V gave a 15% modulation depth with 65 μm diameter fibre, and the maximum frequency measured for a 65 μm fibre was ∼40 kHz. In a proof-of-principle experiment, a 1.61-μm wavelength Er 3+/Yb 3+ fibre laser was Q-switched by placing the electrostatic fibre modulator inside the cavity, generating pulses of 4-μs duration.