Lithium Niobate Electro-Optic Modulators

Thorlabs free-space electro-optic (EO) amplitude and phase lithium niobate modulators combine our experience with crystal growth and electro-optic materials. Our EO modulators use MgO-doped lithium niobate for high power operation. The modulators have an SMA RF input, which is directly compatible with our HVA200 High Voltage Amplifier (shown below). We offer both broadband DC-coupled and high Q resonant models.

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Features

High Performance in a Compact Package
Broadband DC Coupled or High-Q Resonant
2 mm Diameter Clear Aperture
MgO-Doped Lithium Niobate Crystal
SMA RF Modulation Input Connector
DC to 100 MHz
Custom OEM Versions Available

DC-Coupled Broadband Modulators

Our broadband EO modulators consist of an EO crystal packaged in a housing optimized for maximum RF performance. The RF drive signal is connected directly to the EO crystal via the SMA RF input. An external RF driver supplies the drive voltage for the desired modulation. The crystal may be modulated from DC up to the frequency limits of the external RF driver. Please see the Specs tab for amplifier requirements. These broadband amplitude and phase modulators are offered with a -C4 (400 - 600 nm), -C1 (600 - 900 nm), -C2 (900 - 1250 nm), or -C3 (1250 - 1650 nm) AR coating. See the Reflectance Graphs tab for more information on the reflectance of these coatings.

High Q Resonant Modulators

Thorlabs' Resonant EO Modulators make use of a high-Q resonant circuit. Compared to broadband EO modulators, this dramatically reduces the operating voltage required to drive the modulator for fixed-frequency applications. Amplitude and phase modulator versions operating at 20 MHz are offered with a -C1 AR coating (600 - 900 nm). See the Graphs tab for more information on the reflectance of this coating. Standard and custom AR coating options are available, as well as versions with user-specified resonance frequencies from 0.1 to 100 MHz. Please contact Tech Support to discuss your application needs. Please see the Specs tab for more information on these modulators.

Driver and Accessories

Our HVA200 high voltage amplifier is ideal for driving our standard EO Modulators. It features a ±200 V output at 100 mA of continuous current, a 1MHz bandwidth, and low noise (see the presentation below for more details). Our resonant modulators can be driven by any standard laboratory function generator.

Thorlabs also offers a Glan-Thompson Polarizer mounting adapter, as well as an EO modulator mount for integration into our fiberbench collimation hardware (see below).

Modulators

Item #	EO Amplitude Modulator EO-AM-NR	EO Phase Modulator EO-PM-NR	EO Resonant Modulator EO-xM-R
Modulator Crystal	Lithium Niobate (LiNbO₃) doped with MgO
Wavelength Range
C1	600 to 900 nm	600 to 900 nm	600 to 900 nm
C2	900 to 1250 nm	900 to 1250 nm	N/A*
C3	1250 to 1650 nm	1250 to 1650 nm	N/A*
C4	400 to 600 nm	400 to 600 nm	N/A*
Clear Aperture	2 mm Diameter	2 mm Diameter	2 mm Diameter
Input Connector	SMA Female	SMA Female	SMA Female
Resonant Frequency Range	Broadband	Broadband	20 MHz**
Half Wave Voltage, V_π (Click for Plot)	205 V at 633 nm (Typical)	136 V at 633 nm (Typical)	15 V at 633 nm (Typical)
Extinction Ratio	>10 dB	NA	>10 dB
Input Capacitance/Impedance	14 pF	14 pF	50 Ohms
Max RF Input Power	NA	NA	3 W
Max Optical Power Density	2 W/mm² @ 532 nm, 4 W/mm² @ 1064 nm	2 W/mm² @ 532 nm, 4 W/mm² @ 1064 nm	2 W/mm² @ 532 nm, 4 W/mm² @ 1064 nm

*Other AR coating ranges are available upon request. Contact Tech Support for details.
**Resonant frequencies from 0.1 - 100 MHz are available. Contact Tech Support for details.

Amplifier

Item #	HVA200
Physical Features
Input Connector	BNC
Output Connector	BNC
HV Monitor Connector	BNC
Bias Adjustment	Digital Encoder
Output Enable	Front Panel Pushbutton
Output HV Indicator	Bright LED
Power Switch	Rocker Switch
Dimensions	9″ x 5″ x 12.5″ 228.6 mm x 127 mm x 317.5 mm
Weight	11.6 lbs
Other	Tilting Rubber-Padded Feet
Max Ratings
Max Output Current	100 mA DC
Max Input Voltage Range	–10 to 10 V
Fuse Rating	630 mA @ 115 VAC (5x20mm SLO-BLO) 400 mA @ 230 VAC (5x20mm SLO-BLO)
Electrical Characteristics
Max Input Voltage Range	–10 to 10 V
Input Impedance	1 kΩ
Output Voltage	–200 to 200 V
Output Impedance	50 Ω
Slew Rate	400 V/μs
Output Noise	1.5 mV RMS
Voltage Gain*	–20 ± 2%
DC Bias Adjust	–200 to 200 V
HV Monitor to Output Ratio:
With Input Impedance of 50 Ω	40:1 (V_out/40 ± 6%)
With Input Impedance of >10 kΩ	20:1 (V_out / 20 ± 6%)
AC Power	115 V/230 V, 50-60 Hz, 70 VA
*NOTE: The voltage gain is inverting to preserve the high slew rate of the output amplifier (i.e., a -1 V input results in +20 V output).

These plots show the reflectance of each of our four dielectric coatings for a typical coating run. The shaded region in each graph denotes the spectral range over which the coating is highly transmissive.

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Raw Data

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Raw Data

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Raw Data

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Raw Data

HVA200 Connections

Modulation Input Signal

BNC Female

± 10 V, 10 mA

HV Output Monitor

BNC Female

± 10 V, 200 mA, Min Load 50 Ω

HV Output

BNC Female

± 200 V, 100 mA

EO Modulators

RF Modulation Signal - SMA Female

SMA Female

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Posted Comments:

Poster: jpott

Posted Date: 2013-05-17 08:56:50.653

I have a questin to your broad-band phase modulators: what is the broadband phase behaviour: will a given voltage result in the SAME phase over all frequencies within the passband, or does the phase-modulator introduce voltage-dependent dispersion? thanks - j-uwe pott

Poster: proto.vladimir

Posted Date: 2013-05-02 18:35:23.707

1). AOM: in the figure with two crystals in series: is it true that the voltages are applied in the same polarity with respect to optical axis direction? 2). POM: what is the phase change at half-wave voltage Ul/2? 3). POM-AOM: why Ul/2 is 2 times bigger for AOM relative to POM?

Poster: bdada

Posted Date: 2011-11-04 11:37:00.0

Response from Buki at Thorlabs: Thank you for your inquiry. For 925nm I would recommend the –C2 units which have the AR coating for 900-1250nm. We have sent you additional information on the reflection from each surface - it is much less than 0.5% over the 900-1250nm range. Please coontact TechSupport@thorlabs.com if you have further questions.

Poster: yuilon

Posted Date: 2011-11-02 09:30:26.0

I concern the product EO-PM-NR-C2, how much power lost inside EOM assuming in coming laser is CW 925 nm with power 1 W/mm2?

Poster: bdada

Posted Date: 2011-09-15 14:55:00.0

Response from Buki at Thorlabs: Yes, the EO-AM-NR-Cx modulators will work for a pulsed laser. The primary concern, however, is the optical power level that causes photorefractive damage to the Lithium Niobate (LN) crystal. The LN crystals used in the Thorlabs EO modulators are MgO doped which increases the photorefractive damage level to 2W/mm2 @ 532 nm and 4W/mm2 @ 1064 nm. The photorefractive damage level is highly dependent on wavelength, decreasing rapidly at wavelengths below 532 nm. For the C1 wavelength range (600-900 nm) it would be conservative to use the 2W/mm2 damage threshold level. For the C2 wavelength range (900-1250 nm), use the 4W/mm2 damage threshold level. These damage power levels are for CW power. The question is how does this scale to peak power levels for pulsed operation. It is very difficult to answer this question, there is no simple answer because in the end it will depend upon pulse width, duty cycle, peak power and wavelength. Based upon some measurements that we have been making recently to address this issue, it appears that for short pulses (< 1 ns) and low duty cycle (< 0.2%) pulsed lasers, the damage level for the average power is approximately 50% of the CW damage level. So, for example, the damage threshold for a short pulse, low duty cycle laser in the 600-900 nm range is an average power of approximately 1W/mm^2. Please contact TechSupport@thorlabs.oom if you have further questions.

Poster: cyjiang

Posted Date: 2011-09-13 09:19:48.0

I want to know whether the EO-AMNR-C1 and C2 could work properly for pulsed laser. The pulse width is 2 ps and the average power of the pulse is 1 mW. Thank you very much.

Poster: bdada

Posted Date: 2011-08-22 16:48:00.0

Response from Buki at Thorlabs: Thank you for your feedback. We have contacted you to verify the details of your set up.

Poster: eexjw1

Posted Date: 2011-08-22 11:25:05.0

I tested the stability of EO-PM-NR-C1 before it is installed into the system. The modulation frequency from HV amplifier is 1kHz at 120V, laser power is 15 mW, with a diameter of 1mm, which are all within the range for EOM use. The problem is that the signal has a sinusoidal drift with a period of 15 ~ 20 min, and the signal goes to absolutely zero during the drifting. What may be the reason for this? Has this ever happened before?

Poster: jjurado

Posted Date: 2011-08-12 13:35:00.0

Response from Javier at Thorlabs ti cev136: I will contact you directly to assist you with your application.

Poster: cev136

Posted Date: 2011-08-12 09:52:41.0

Does not work at DC for 400nm light.

Poster: jjurado

Posted Date: 2011-08-02 15:08:00.0

Response from Javier at Thorlabs to cyjiang: At a power output on 1 W and 1 mm diameter, the power density is then 1 W/[pi x (0.5mm)^2] = 1.3 W/mm^2, which is below the maximum recommend input of 4W/mm^2 at 1064 nm. The EO modulator should work well under this condition.

Poster: cyjiang

Posted Date: 2011-08-02 13:48:42.0

In the manual it is said that the Maximum Optical Power Density of EO-AM-NR-Cx is 2W/mm2 at 532nm and 4W/mm2 at 1064 nm. We have a 1064 nm laser beam with a power of 1 Watt and a diameter of 1 mm. Would it work properly at such condition? Or will there be any problem for handling such laser beam by using these modulators?

Poster: jjurado

Posted Date: 2011-06-23 20:02:00.0

Response from Javier at Thorlabs to cumn333: Thank you very much for contacting us. We currently do not have data regarding the performance of our EO modulators when subjected to femtosecond laser pulses. Nonlinear effects such as self-focusing and self phase modulation might take place when using a femtosecond source, but we unfortunately do not have a quantitative analysis for these effects and how they affect the LN crystals. However, the main concern is the potential photorefractive damage that will most likely occur at the 900 nm wavelength and 2 W power range. Based on the damage threshold guidelines for these modulators (4W/mm^2 at 1064 nm), these modulators will most likely not work for your application. I will contact you directly for further assistance.

Poster: cumn333

Posted Date: 2011-06-21 14:35:31.0

I wonder if your EO phase modulator can work with femtosecond pulses from Ti:sapphire lasers. For example, power=2Watt, Wavelength=900nm, Reprate=80MHz, pulse duration = 150 fs. I am worried about that the light intensity is strong enough to cause nonlinear interaction with the crystal. Customer Email: cumn333@yahoo.com This customer would like to be contacted.

Poster: jjurado

Posted Date: 2011-05-06 16:47:00.0

Response from Javier at Thorlabs to bradoptics: Thank you very much for contacting us with your request. The term "broadband" is used to describe the operating wavelength range, which, for the EO-AM-NR-C4, is 400-600 nm. Regarding the bandwidth, the broadband modulators can operate from DC to 100 MHz. I will contact you directly for further support.

Poster: bradoptics

Posted Date: 2011-05-06 14:52:55.0

I had a question about the bandwidth of the E0-AM-NR-C4. Its listed as "broadband" on the spec sheet. Could I use it from DC to 1MHz?

Poster: jjurado

Posted Date: 2011-03-30 10:23:00.0

Response from Javier at Thorlabs to carlos.camargo: Thank you very much for contacting us. The EO-AM and EO-PM electro-optic modulators are designed for freespace input (and output). They have an input clear aperture of 2 mm. I will contact you directly for further assistance. You can also check the manual for more information: http://www.thorlabs.com/Thorcat/15900/15956-D02.pdf

Poster: carlos.camargo

Posted Date: 2011-03-30 09:20:14.0

A dummy question: How does the light enter in the EOM? By fiber or directly the light beam? How does it out?

Poster: Thorlabs

Posted Date: 2010-07-12 15:05:53.0

Response from Javier at Thorlabs to martensites: thank you for your feedback. We have not tested the maximum peak-to-peak voltage that the EO modulators can withstand. However, we do know that the crystal should perfom well and without any risk of damage at an input of +/- 240 V.

Poster: martensites

Posted Date: 2010-07-12 01:57:57.0

Please let me know the range of operating voltage of the EOM. Is it possible working on +- 240 V? (+-half wave voltage)

Poster: jjurado

Posted Date: 2010-06-01 21:26:42.0

Response from Javier at Thorlabs to andriyc: the common term used in amplitude/phase modulators is contrast ratio, which depends on factors such as input beam diameter, alignment through the crystal, extinction ratio of polarizers, and linewidth of laser source. The key parameter will be beam diameter; at ~1mm, contrast ratios on the order of 20:1 are typical. As the beam diameter decreases to around .5mm, typical values are on the order of 50:1. Also, focusing the beam can lead to higher contrast ratios, however you must be careful not to damage the crystal by incurring high power densities. You can also use pinholes to increase the contrast ratio well above 100:1. The C4 in the EO-AM-NR-C4 defines the anti-reflective coating, which covers 400-600nm, with a reflectivity < 0.5%. Though the reflectivity will not be as low, this modulator can still be used at 650nm with low reflectivity, in the order of <2%.

Poster: andriyc

Posted Date: 2010-05-31 09:42:45.0

What is the extinction ratio (of polarizations) for EO Amplitude Modulators (for ex. EO-AM-NR-C4). Also, could EO-AM-NR-C4 be used for modulating wavelengths up to 650 nm? The division into versions Cx comes only from anti-reflection coating?

Poster: Adam

Posted Date: 2010-05-26 17:09:56.0

A response from Adam at Thorlabs to andriyc: The amplitude modulators can be used to modulate the polarization of the light as long as the incoming light is polarized.

Poster: andriyc

Posted Date: 2010-05-26 14:03:03.0

Is it possible to use Thorlabs EOM for modulation of the polarization?

Poster: Adam

Posted Date: 2010-04-21 08:54:43.0

A response from Adam at Thorlabs to pmd: At this time, there are no plans to add BBO or KDP crystals in our modulator line. However, I like the idea of offering modulators that work in the UV range and will mention your idea to our engineers as a customer inspired new product idea.

Poster: pmd

Posted Date: 2010-04-21 00:52:49.0

When will you add other crystals, like BBO and KDP to have modulators that are good in the UV? Thanks, Pedro.

Poster: Greg

Posted Date: 2010-04-13 17:16:01.0

A response from Greg at Thorlabs: We have added specifications to the Specs tab regarding the High Q Resonant option modulators. More information will be added on these modulators shortly.

Poster:

Posted Date: 2010-01-16 13:18:45.0

The presentation mentions but then doesnt provide any details on the: High Q Resonant Option. Are there specifics that could be added to help the reader understand what Thorlabs has to offer.

Poster: apalmentieri

Posted Date: 2009-12-15 13:05:20.0

A response from Adam at Thorlabs: At this time we do not offer high voltage amplifiers that will operate with bandwidths greater than 1MHz. If your modulation frequency is fixed, you may be able to use a resonant modulator. This will make your Q factor ~10 so your halfwave voltage will be ~20V @633nm. This will be much more manageable in terms of finding the appropriate driver electronics. I will email you with more information about pricing and lead time for these custom products. Please note that if you need to modulate from 20Mhz -50MHz a broadband modulator may be necessary and it becomes more difficult to find the appropriate driver electronics. I will email you with some suggestions for these as well.

Poster: stephanos

Posted Date: 2009-12-14 14:22:12.0

I noticed that although your modulators have a bandwidth of up to 100Mhz, the voltager amplifier you provide only has a bandwidth of 1MHz. I am interested in a broadband Amplitude modulator that uses EO Modulators in the visible wavelength (400nm-670nm) that I can pulse modulate (digital input signals) and the resultant optical output can be pulse widths ~ 2nsec at rep rates of 10MHz-50MHz, with good extinction ratio (better than 200:1). Does Thorlabs have such a solution for me? Feel free to contact me directly on my cell (408) 849-6619 or via e-mail: Stephanos@Oramic.com

Poster: Laurie

Posted Date: 2008-12-09 10:27:02.0

Response from Laurie at Thorlabs to lsandstrom: Thank you for your feedback. The units are radians.

Poster: lsandstrom

Posted Date: 2008-12-09 10:15:55.0

What is the units on the axis in Fig. 1 in the graph tab?

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