Non-reflective/reflective phase transition optical modulator

Abstract

Abstract An optical modulator particularly suited for use as an output coupler from the resonating cavity of a laser. The modulator is fabricated with a semiconducting oxide compound selected from the group consisting of VO, VO 2 , V 2 O 3 , V 3 O 5 , V 4 O 6 , V 5 O 9 , V 6 O 11 , V 7 O 13 , V 8 O 15 , Ti 2 O 3 , Ti 4 O 7 , NbO 2 , FeSi 2 , VO 2 NbO 2 , V 1-x Mo x O 2 , VO 2 -TiO 2 , V 2 O 3 -Ti 2 O 3 , V 1-x Ge x O 2 , V 1-x Nb x O 2 , V 1-x Cr x O 2 , (Cr x V 1-x ) 2 O 3 and V 1-x Ti x O 2 . When an electric field is applied to an output coupler fabricated with a thin film or single crystal of material from the foregoing group, the material undergoes a transition between metallic and semiconducting states. In the metallic state the output coupler reflects incident luminous energy. In the semiconducting state, on the other hand, the material transmits such luminous energy. Thereby, a laser system output coupler fabricated with a material from the above-defined group can, by external stimulation, be caused to reflect back or transmit out the laser energy stored within the resonating cavity. Furthermore, since transition between states can be performed with speeds ranging from microseconds to nanoseconds, the output coupler is compatible with the needs of Q-switched or cavity dumped laser configurations.

Inventors

• 👤 John C. Wert, III

Bibliographic Details