Pockels Cells
Overview
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Pockels Cells
Pockels Cells are electro-optic devices used to switch the polarization direction of light beams. Their operating principle is based on the Pockels Effect, by which an applied electric field produces linear changes in the refractive index of non-centrosymmetric crystalline materials. Because their switching behavior largely depends on the drive electronics, Pockels Cells offer a much faster response time than acousto-optic devices.
Applications
Common applications for Pockels Cells include:
- Q-switching of laser cavities
- Coupling light in and out of regenerative amplifiers
- Light intensity modulation, when used in conjunction with a pair of polarizers
Pockels Cells can also be used for phase modulation—by imprinting sidebands onto the frequency of the transmitted light at multiples of the cell’s drive frequency. This electro-optic approach, however, modulates phase less efficiently than devices that rely on optimized crystal orientation and electric field direction.
Optical Specifications
Inrad Optics Pockels Cells Specifications
| Model |
Crystal Type
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Aperture (mm)
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Wavelength Range (nm)
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Transmission (%T)
@ specific λ
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Capacitance (pF)
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Quarterwave Voltage
@ 1064 nm
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Extinction Ratio
@ 1064 nm
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Damage Threshold (MW/cm2)
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| PKC21 |
KD*P
|
9.5, 12, 15, 20, 25 |
.30 - 1.32 µm |
FC > 96 % |
8, 9, 10, 14, 17 |
3.3 kV |
> 1000:1
For ≤ 15mm aperture |
FC> 500 |
| .25 - 1.32 µm |
SG> 99 % |
SG> 800 |
| PKC02 |
9, 15, 20
|
.30 - 1.32 µm |
FC > 95 % |
14, 22, 28
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1.65 kV
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> 1000:1
For ≤ 15mm aperture |
FC> 500 |
| .25 - 1.32 µm |
SG > 96 % |
SG> 800 |
| PKC24 |
9 |
.25 - 1.32 µm |
SG > 99 % |
8 |
3.3 kV |
> 1000:1 |
> 800 |
| PKC26 |
| PLC01 |
LiNbO3
|
8.5 |
1.0 - 3.8 µm |
> 98 % |
20 |
1.65 kV |
> 600:1 |
> 300 |
| PLCX1 |
3.5 |
1.0 - 3.8 µm |
> 98 % |
4 |
1.0 kV |
> 900:1 |
> 300 |
| PBCX1 |
BBO
|
2.5, 3.5 |
.22 - 2.1 µm |
> 98 % |
3 |
3.6, 4.8 kV |
> 1000:1 |
> 500 |
| PBC05 |
| PBC06 |
3.5, 4.5, 5.5 |
.22 - 2.1 µm |
> 97 % |
5 |
2.4, 3.1, 3.6 kV |
> 500:1 |
> 500 |
Cells by Crystal Type
BBO ~ KD*P ~ LiNbO3
BBO Pockels Cells
| Model |
Description |
Aperture |
| PBCX1-DC03 |
Compact BBO Pockels Cell, with AR coated crystal
and windows, dry cell |
2.5 mm |
| PBCX1-DC04 |
BBO Pockels Cell, with AR coated crystal and windows, dry cell |
3.5 mm |
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PBC05-DC03
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BBO Pockels Cell, dual crystal, with AR coated crystal
and windows, dry cell
|
2.5 mm
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PBC05-DC04
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3.5 mm
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PBC06-DC04
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BBO Pockels Cell, dual crystal, with AR coated windows, dry cell
|
3.5 mm
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PBC06-DC06
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5.5 mm
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Note: Standard wavelengths for BBO Pockels Cells are 1064nm, 532nm, 355nm and 266nm.
Custom wavelengths are available.
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BBO Pockels Cells
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MODEL |
PBC05-DC04
PBCX1-DC04 |
PBC05-DC03
PBCX1-DC03 |
PBC06-DC06 |
PBC06-DC04 |
Aperture Diameter
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3.5 mm |
2.5 mm
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5.5 mm |
3.5 mm |
Number of Crystals
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one
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two |
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Quarter-Wave Voltage
@ 1064 nm
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4.8 kV
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3.6 kV
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3.6 kV |
2.4 kV
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Intrinsic Contrast
@ 1064 nm
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> 1000 : 1
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> 500 : 1
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| Optical Transmission |
> 98% T |
> 97% T |
Damage Threshold*
(Nanosecond Pulses)
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> 500 MW / cm2 |
Damage Threshold*
(cw Power)
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> 3 kW / cm2 |
Waterfront Distortion
@1064 nm
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< λ / 8 |
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Electrical Contacts
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two, electrically floating, miniature banana plugs |
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Typical Capacitance
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3 pF |
3 pF |
4.5 pF |
5 pF |
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Outline Dimensions
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PBC05: Diameter x 2" Long Cylinder
PBCX1: Diameter x 1.5" Long Cylinder
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1.25" Diameter x 2.7" Long Cylinder |
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*Damage Threshold values for reference only and are not guaranteed.
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KD*P Pockels Cells, Single Crystal
| Model |
Description |
Aperture |
Notes |
| PKC21-FC09 |
KD*P Pockels Cell, with AR coated windows, filled with
FC-43 fluid. |
9.5 mm |
Windows are wedged, customer must select between net 0º or 1º wedge for the device
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| PKC21-FC12 |
12 mm |
PKC21-FC15
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15 mm
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| PKC21-SG09 |
KD*P Pockels Cell, with AR coated windows, with sol-gel coated crystal. |
9.5 mm |
| PKC21-SG12 |
12 mm |
| PKC21-SG15 |
25 mm |
PKC21-SG20
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20 mm
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PKC21-SG25
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25 mm
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PKC21-SG35
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35 mm
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PKC21-SG50
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50 mm
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KD*P Pockels Cells, Single Crystal, Compact
| Model |
Description |
Aperture |
Notes |
| PKC24-SG09 |
KD*P Pockels Cell, with AR coated windows, with sol-gel coated crystal,
OD 0.75" |
9 mm |
Windows are wedged, customer must select between net 0º or 1º wedge for the device
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| PKC26-SG09 |
KD*P Pockels Cell, with AR coated windows, with sol-gel coated crystal,
OD 25mm
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9 mm |
Windows are wedged, net 0º wedge for the device
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KD*P Pockels Cells, Dual Crystal
| Model |
Description |
Aperture |
Notes |
| PKC02-FC09 |
KD*P Dual Crystal Pockels Cell, with AR coated windows, filled with
FC-43 fluid. |
9 mm |
Windows are not wedged |
| PKC02-FC15 |
15 mm |
| PKC02-SG09 |
KD*P Dual Crystal Pockels Cell, with AR coated windows, with
sol-gel coated crystal. |
9 mm |
| PKC02-SG15 |
15 mm |
| PKC02-SG20 |
20 mm |
Standard wavelengths for KD*P Pockels cells are
1064nm,700-900nm,755nm,694nm,532nm, and 355nm.
Custom wavelengths are available.
LiNbO3 Pockels Cells
| Model |
Description |
Aperture |
Notes |
| PLCX1-DC04 |
LiNbO3 Pockels Cell, with crystal and windows AR coated, dry cell. |
3.5 mm |
Windows are not wedged
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| PLC01-DC08 |
LiNbO3 Pockels Cell, with crystal and windows AR coated, dry cell, damped. |
8.5 mm |
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PLC01-DC10.5
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LiNbO3 Pockels Cell, with crystal and windows AR coated, dry cell. |
10.5 mm |
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Standard wavelengths for LiNbO3 are 1064nm, 1320nm and 2100 nm.
Custom wavelengths are available.
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Q Switch Crystals
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Q-Switch Crystals
The ideal crystalline medium for Q-Switch Crystals depends on operating wavelength laser beam size, damage threshold, average power handling, contrast ratio, extinction ratio and repetition rate. Here’s an overview of different types of Q-Switch Crystals:
- KD*P Pockels Cells are routinely used for Q-switching applications with wavelengths from the UV to approximately 1.1 µm. Beyond 1.1 µm, absorption limits KD*P’s use in active cavities unless the application can tolerate a few percent of absorption.
- LiNbO3 Pockels Cells address wavelengths of at least 1.064 µm. With an electric field applied transverse to the direction of light propagation, LiNBO3 cells can be configured to operate at a lower voltage than comparable KD*P cells. LiNbO3 can also be a good choice for infrared wavelengths as long as 4.0 µm, though half-wave voltage increases at those wavelengths.
- BBO Pockels Cells target operating wavelengths from the UV to roughly 2 µm. BBO crystal handles high average powers better than either KD*P or LiNbO3. Since it has a relatively small electro-optic coefficient, BBO tends to require higher voltages than the other two crystal mediums. The voltage required in a given application will depend on the crystal length, thickness and size of the clear aperture.
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