A LiNbO3 switch for fibre lasers

An electro-optical switch (modulator) based on one LiNbO₃ crystal and fundamentally thermally stable is investigated. The switch is intended for controlling radiation from laser and luminescence fibre emitters. The operation principle of the modulator is described briefly, its static and pulse characteristics are measured and the temperature behaviour is studied. A switching contrast of 38 dB is obtained at a dc voltage of U_λ/2 = 400 V on a test device connected with isotropic single-mode fibres in the optical switching mode at a wavelength of 1060 nm. The half-wave voltage in the pulsed mode is 800 V.