Optical modulator utilizing a slow wave circuit

Claim 1

A broadband device for providing a microwave electric field to attain wideband light modulation of a beam of light, comprising, a first and second conductive end wall members, a first and second conductive side-wall members, a plurality of inductive digits, including at least a first and second digit, said plurality of digits positioned between said first and second end wall members, and between said first and second side-wall members, first connection means for connecting the broadband device to a microwave power source, second connection means for connecting the broadband device to a microwave termination, said first digit connected to said first connection means, said second digit connected to said second connection means, said first and second conductive end wall members, said first and second conductive side-wall members and said plurality of inductive digits together defining a region of uniform electric field concentration between said second digit and said first conductive end wall member, which region has a uniform electric field concentration over the bandwidth of said broadband device, a single crystal of electro-optic material positioned between said second digit and said first conductive end wall member in said region of uniform electric field concentration, a first aperture in said first side-wall member, a second aperture in said second side-wall member, said first aperture, said second aperture and said crystal of electro-optic material being optically aligned for transmission of said beam of light therethrough for wideband modulation.