Bragg-Modulator

The Bragg modulator has rectangular electrooptical crystal platelets on its upper surface, esp. of lithium niobate or tantalum, with normal and inverse regions over a grid structure. The direction of the spontaneous polarization in the inverse regions is opposite to that in normal regions. Electrodes on the upper and lower crystal surfaces are used to generate an electrical field. The grid structure (10) is separate from the end and side surfaces and is fully covered by the electrodes. The inversion regions (12) forming grid elements are arranged at the Bragg angle to the light (13) incident on the front end surface and the entire grid structure is so positioned that the refracted light leaves the crystal platelet at its rear end surface (18). USE - for intensity modulation of light, esp. laser light ADVANTAGE - Disadvantages of conventional modulators are eliminated, e.g. the limited usability of light emanating from the sides owing to reflection losses.