Lithium Niobate Electro-Optic Modulators

Thorlabs free-space electro-optic (EO) amplitude and phase lithium niobate modulators combine our experience with crystal growth and electro-optic materials. Our standard modulators use undoped lithium niobate. For higher power operation, we offer MgO doped lithium niobate. The standard EO modulators are broadband DC-coupled, though a high Q resonant model option is available.

Features

• High Performance in a Compact Package
• Broadband DC Coupled
• 2 mm Diameter Clear Aperture
• SMA RF Modulation Input Connector
• DC to 100 MHz
• Custom OEM Versions Available

Standard DC-Coupled Broadband Modulators

Our broadband EO modulators consist of an EO crystal packaged in a housing optimized for maximum RF performance. The RF drive signal is connected directly to the EO crystal via the SMA RF input. An external RF driver supplies the drive voltage for the desired modulation. The crystal may be modulated from DC up to the frequency limits of the external RF driver. Please see the Specs tab for amplifier requirements.

High Q Resonant Option

For flexibility Thorlabs also offers a second modulator option. Resonant mode modulators developed by Nova Phase simplify the driver requirements for many applications where the modulator is operated at a single frequency. A high Q resonant tank circuit located inside the modulator boosts the low level RF input voltage from a standard function generator to the high voltage needed to get full depth of modulation.