SCPEM-Q-switching of a fiber-rod-laser.

We demonstrate high-frequency Q-switching of a fiber rod laser with a Single-Crystal Photo-Elastic Modulator (SCPEM) made of a LiTaO₃₋ crystal. This type of photo-elastic modulator can be driven simultaneously with two different eigenmodes to achieve a shorter rise time, which is essential for high-power operation. When operated in the laser cavity, a pulse repetition frequency of 183.

Power scaling of AOM-switched lasers with SCPEM-based time-multiplexing.

Power Scaling of a Q-switched laser designed for internal frequency conversion is demonstrated by combining two Nd:YVO4-gain-channels with a time-multiplexing scheme based on a single crystal photo elastic modulator (SCPEM). Both channels are coupled with a polarizer and share an output-coupler and acousto-optic modulator (AOM). In order to combine two channels by time multiplexing, the single crystal photo elastic modulator is used which switches between two channels, while the acousto-optic modulator conducts the Q-switching.

Fast ellipsometric measurements based on a single crystal photo-elastic modulator.

For quality control in high volume manufacturing of thin layers and for tracking of physical and chemical processes, ellipsometry is a common measurement technology. For such kinds of applications we present a novel approach of fast ellipsometric measurements. Instead of a conventional setup that uses a standard photo-elastic modulator, we use a 92 kHz Single Crystal Photo-Elastic Modulator (SCPEM), which is a LiTaO3 crystal with a size of 28 × 9 × 4 mm.

Dual-mode single-crystal photoelastic modulator and possible applications.

A new type of acousto-optic device based on a LiTaO(3) crystal is presented. A harmonic voltage with a proper frequency applied to the piezoelectric LiTaO(3) crystal generates mechanical oscillations in the material. Due to photoelasticity, an artificial modulated birefringence is induced by this oscillation.

Q-switching of a fiber laser with a single crystal photo-elastic modulator.

A study of using a single crystal photo-elastic modulator for active Q-switching of a fiber laser is presented. The modulator, which oscillates in a longitudinal eigenmode, was realized with LiTaO(3). This induces due to the photo-elastic effect a modulated artificial birefringence which modulates the polarization of passing light.