Ultimate Guide to Comparing Pockels Cells in Lithium Niobate, Potassium Dihydrogen Phosphate, and Beta Barium Borate Crystals: Selecting the Perfect Crystal for High-Performance Optical Systems
Introduction to Pockels Cells and Crystals Pockels cells are essential components in many optical systems. They leverage the electro-optic effect to modulate the phase, polarization, or intensity of light passing through them. This function is facilitated by the Pockels effect, which describes the alteration of refractive index by an applied electric field. Different crystals are used to fabricate these cells, each bringing unique properties that make them suitable for various applications. Key crystals include lithium niobate (LiNbO3), potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KDP), and beta barium borate (BBO). The choice of crystal impacts several critical parameters such as electro-optic coefficients, damage thresholds, …