Off-resonance properties of a photoelastic modulator

Karlton Crabtree; Neil Beaudry; Russell Chipman

doi:10.1117/12.621527

18 August 2005 Off-resonance properties of a photoelastic modulator

Karlton Crabtree, Neil Beaudry, Russell Chipman

Proceedings Volume 5888, Polarization Science and Remote Sensing II; 58880A (2005) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.621527
Event: Optics and Photonics 2005, 2005, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

Polarization modulation in photo-elastic modulators (PEM) driven on and off resonance has been investigated for a commercially available PEM using a high speed infrared (lambda=1550 nm) polarimeter. Off-resonance operation was explored in the hope of finding a slower operating mode than the primary resonance. The primary resonance, used for normal PEM operation, was 5 Hz wide with a Q of 8500. The phase transfer function was well behaved and typical of electrical resonances. Device startup and shutdown had smooth amplitude changes occurring over 1/3rd of a second. The photo-elastic modulator was examined at drive frequencies significantly below the resonant frequency. Driving the PEM with several odd sub-harmonics generated resonance at the fundamental frequency. Three other lower frequency resonances were discovered, but all at an oscillation amplitude more than 12 db below the amplitude of the fundamental resonance. Thus a practical configuration to allow slower operation of the PEM was not found.

Citation Download Citation

Karlton Crabtree, Neil Beaudry, and Russell Chipman "Off-resonance properties of a photoelastic modulator", Proc. SPIE 5888, Polarization Science and Remote Sensing II, 58880A (18 August 2005); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.621527

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available