Experiment 1

Akash

August 7, 2023

Aim
To plot the graph and study the birefringence with respect to applied voltage in an
electro optic crystal (Lithium niobite (LiN bO3 ))

Apparatus Required
• Diode laser with mount

• Polarizer and analyzer

• Electro optic crystal (Lithium niobite (LiN bO3 )) with mount

• Detector with mount

• Output measurement unit

• 2KV DC power supply

Theory
As all of us know, many crystals exhibit birefringence naturally. There are certain crystals which
are not birefringent naturally but become birefringent by application of an electric field. The
phenomenon generally is called electro optic effect.Transmission of the laser light through the
crystal exhibiting birefringence is given by

T = T0 sin2 (πDn L/λ)

where,
T is the transmission
T0 is the intrinsic transmission of the assembly taking into account all the losses
Dn is the birefringence (i.e. the difference in the refractive index of two polarizations)
L is length of crystal
λ is wave length of the laser
The birefringence is increasing function of the applied voltage, so that the transmission will be an
oscillatory function of the applied voltage.

1
Pockel’s Effect

The Lithium Niobite crystal is a uni axial birefringent material. It has only one optical axis.
When the light travels parallel to this optical axis, the direction of polarisation is perpendicular to
it, hence it suffers the refractive index n0 , the normal refractive index of the material. However,
when the direction of polarisation is any other then a component of it is perpendicular to it and
other parallel to it. The perpendicular component suffers the normal refractive index of n0 , it is
called the ordinary ray. On the other hand, the component perpendicular to it, suffers refraction
with refractive index ne . This ray is called extraordinary ray. The birefringence is quantified as
the difference between the two:
∆n = ne − n0
. The difference between the refractive indices leads to difference in phase.The phase difference is
related as follows:
2π∆nL
Γ=
λ0

where,
Γ = Phase Difference
∆n = Birefringence
L = length of the Pockel’s cell
λ0 = Wavelength in Vacuum

The Application of such types of birefringent materials are used in making Wave plate or
retarder. It is an optical device which converts alters the direction of polarisation of light passing
through it. There are two types of waveplates:
• Half Wave Plates: For Half Wave Plates the value of L is so chosen that Γ = π. This leads
to,
λ
L=
2∆n
π
• Quarter Wave Plate: For Quarter Wave Plates, the value of L is so chosen that Γ = .This
2
leads to,
λ
Γ=
4∆n

Procedure
1. Arrange the electro optic set up shown in the figure 1 shown.

Figure 1: Setup
Pockel’s Effect

2. Carefully align the crystal along with so that light beam passes accurately along the axis of
the crystal.

3. Rotate and position the first polarizer so that light beam passes through it with maximum
intensity. This is to make sure that the light entering the crystal is polarized.

4. Rotate and position the second polarizer (analyzer) so that the light transmitted through it
is minimum.

5. Connect the high voltage DC supply to the electrodes kept closely on both sides of the crystal
parallel to the light beam.

6. Turn on the supply and gradually increase applied voltage from 0V to 2000V in steps of 100V,
measuring the light reaching the detector at every 100V interval

7. Record the voltage and output current reading at each 100V interval. The output current
increases up to a point of input voltage and after that the output current decreases with the
increase in voltage.

8. Plot the meter reading as a function of applied voltage.

9. Determine the value of V 1/2 . Determine the extinction ratio, which is the ratio of the meter
reading at V 1/2 to meter reading at V= 0.

10. Use the following equations for further calculation

s
λ P (V )
Dn = sin−1
πl P (V 1/2 )

where P (V ) is the meter reading at voltage V, P (V 1/2 ) is the half wave voltage, L = length
of the crystal (2.5cm), λ = wavelength (650nm)
Pockel’s Effect

Observation

Table 1: Observation Table

S.No. Voltage (V) Current (mA)

1 0 2.4
2 0.1 1.8
3 0.2 1.4
4 0.3 1.2
5 0.4 1.4
6 0.5 2.5
7 0.6 4.3
8 0.7 7.0
9 0.8 10.0
10 0.9 12.4
11 1.0 13.6
12 1.1 14.1
13 1.2 13.1
14 1.3 11.7
15 1.4 9.0
16 1.5 8.0
17 1.6 7.4
18 1.7 7.6
19 1.8 9.1
20 1.9 11.1
21 2.0 12.5

Calculation
Half wave voltage from the graph=1.1 kilovolts

detector out put at half wave voltage

Extinction ratio =
detector output at zero voltage

Error Analysis
detector out put at half wave voltage
Extinction ratio =
detector output at zero voltage
s
∆a 2
  2
∆b
∆Extinction ratio= + where,
a b
a=detector output at zero voltage, and
b=detector output at half wave voltage

∆a = ∆b = 0.1mA
Pockel’s Effect

Result
• The intensity variation is plotted as a function of applied voltage

• Half wave voltage = 1.1 kilovolts

• ∆Extinction Ratio = 0.042266

• Extinction ratio= 0.170213±0.042266

• Birefringence vs applied voltage graph is plotted

Graph is plotted in the next page

Pockel’s Effect

Figure 2: First Plot is measured output current with input voltage, Second Plot is Birefringence
with input voltage.
Pockel’s Effect

Precautions
• Make sure that the highest voltage does not go above 2 Kv as it can damage the power supply
and Pockel’s Cell.

• Before starting power supply make sure that the laser is properly aligned with the aperture
of the Pockel’s Cell.

• After increasing the voltage, wait a little so that the reading is not fluctuating.

• After completing the experiment make sure to switch off all equipment and the power supply.

• Do no touch the polished surface of the Pockel Cell.

Instructor’s Signature

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