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Kerr Effect
Kerr Effect
OBJECTIVE
1. The phase-shift between the normal and the extra-ordinary light beam is
to be recorded for different voltages applied to the PLZT-element
respectively for different electric field strengths. The half-wave
voltage U (λ/2) is to be determined.
2. By plotting the square of the applied voltage versus the phase shift
between normal and extraordinary beam it is to be shown that the
relation between the two quantities is approximately linear. From the
slope of the straight line the Kerr constant is to be calculated.
INTRODUCTION
EXPERIMENTAL
i) Equipment
Page 1 of 9
Digital multimeter
Screened cable, BNC, l = 750 mm
Adapter, BNC-socket 4 mm plug pair
Connecting cord, 750 mm, red
Connecting cord, 750 mm, blue
Page 2 of 9
Experimental procedures
4. Take down the I 0 value. (When both polarizer and analyzer are at 0°.)
(It should be about 65 μA – 75 μA; use μA range in the digital
multimeter).
7. Increase the voltage in steps of 25V, from 300V until 1000V, and
tabulate your measurements as shown on page 7. Repeat step 6a, b for
every change in voltage.
As can be seen from Fig. 1, the light from the He/Ne laser which is
vertically polarized on passing through the polarizer, impinges on the PLZT
element which is set in its holder at 45° to the vertical. The incident
linearly polarized wave can be regarded as the superimposition of two “in
phase” oscillating waves which are polarized, one perpendicularly and the
other parallel, to the PLZT element and to the electric field that is
applied to the PLZT element.
The two light waves pass through the PLZT element at different speeds. The
light wave which oscillates parallel to the electric field of the PLZT
element is delayed relative to the light wave which oscillates
perpendicularly to the applied electric field of the PLZT element. This
produces a phase difference between the two waves and the light which has
passed through the Kerr cell (PLZT element) will be elliptically polarized.
This results in the analyzer, which is located behind the Kerr cell at 90°
to the polarizer, no longer being able to extinguish the polarized light.
Page 3 of 9
For a phase difference between the two waves of λ/2 a linear polarized wave
results from the superimposition of the two waves after they have passed
through the PLZT element.
This linearly polarized wave is turned by 90° with respect to the direction
of incidence, e.g. with respect to the vertical.
As long ago as 1875 Kerr discovered that a glass plate to which a strong
electric field was applied became birefractive. It soon became clear that
this effect was not based on deformation caused by the electric field as
the same phenomenon was observed in liquids and even in gases.
The PLZT element used in this experiment has the advantage that the
birefraction, represented by the Kerr constant, is more than two orders of
magnitude larger than for nitrobenzene and voltages of a few hundred volts
are sufficient in order to study the electro-optical effects of the ceramic
element. This one is transparent for wavelengths from 0.4 to 5.6 µm. Its
chemical compositions here described by the formula Pb 0.9125 La 0.0875
Zr 0.65 Ti 0.3503. With regard to the transmission of light the PLZT
element behaves like a transparent polycrystal. For λ = 633 nm its
transition ratio is more than 60%. With respect to an applied electric
field, it behaves like a ferromagnetic substance which is submitted to a
magnetic field.
Within the PLZT element there are already prepolarized domains which grow
or which are reorientated by the applied electric field. In this way, the
element becomes optically anisotropic respectively birefractive. Regarding
the above mentioned electro-optical modulation, it should be pointed out
that the element can deal with modulation frequencies of up to 100 kHz.
Page 4 of 9
Fig. 2 Cross-section of PLZT element.
The width represents the distance between the electrodes. The electric
field strength is given by the ratio of voltage applied over the distance
between the electrodes. The path of the light beam within the element is
equal to the length of the element. Active element (1) is encapsulated
using silicon hermetics (2) in isolating ring (3) and glued between two
glass plates (4). An optical glue (5) Canadian balsam was used. Wire (6)
are fixed on the electrode faces of the element and connected with BNC
socket on frame (7).
Method of Analysis
The light wave, whose field vector oscillates parallel to the electric
field, is called the extraordinary beam whereas the wave oscillating
perpendicular to the field is known as the normal beam.
l (n a0 − n 0 )
Page 5 of 9
This corresponds to a phase displacement of
l
∆ = 2π (n a0 − n 0 ) (1)
λ
∆ = 2 πK l E 2 (2)
The luminous intensity I behind the analyzer is obtained for the given
experimental apparatus (polarizer and analyzer crossed and at 45° to the
electric field on the PLZT element) from the relationship (1):
∆
I = I 0 sin 2 (4)
2
I 0 is the luminous behind the analyzer when the polarizer and the analyzer
are aligned in the same direction and the electric field on the PLZT
element is zero. After substituting (2) in (4) and using (3), the
followings is obtained:
πK l U 2
I = I 0 sin 2 (5)
d2
2
Solving the equation for U gives :
d2 I
U2 = .arc sin (6)
πK l I0
Page 6 of 9
2
By plotting U against 2 ⋅ arc sin I / I0 an approximately straight
line is obtained and the Kerr constant can be derived from its slope,
because the geometrical dimensions l and d for the Kerr cell (PLZT element)
are known.
I ∆ I
U(Volt) I = arc sin
I0 2 I0
300
325
350
375
400
425
:
:
950
975
1000
Plot the graph of I/I 0 vs U (volt). Indicate clearly the phase shift as
well as the voltages for which maxima and minima of luminous intensity
are observed. Determine the voltage at which the luminous intensity
reaches a maximum for the first time. At this voltage the normal and
extraordinary beam are phase-shifted by 180°. It is therefore the ″half-
wave voltage ″. It is a function of the PLZT element composition and of
the temperature.
2 5 2
2. Plot the graph of U (10 volts ) vs ∆ (degree).
Determine the slope of the graph by linear regression a straight line.
Using equation (6) with l = 1.5 mm, d = 1.4 mm and slope in radian,
determine the value of K, the Kerr constant of this element.
Page 7 of 9
APPENDIX
I/I0
126°
162°
213°
265°
347°
424°
21°
31°
46°
67°
96°
Phase shift ___
∆ = 2.arc sin√I/I0
10
2 U(λ/2)=615[V]
0 U/Volt
100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000
Example: I 0 = 76 μA
2
U U I I ∆
= arc sin
I Δ Δ
(Volt) 2
(Volt ) (μA) I0 2 I0 (Measured) (Actual)
300 0.53 0.00698 4.79 9.58 9.58
350 0.44 0.00582 4.375 8.75 8.75
400 0.798 0.0105 5.88 11.76 11.76
450 2.2 0.0302 10 20 20
500 8.82 0.1106 19.42 38.84 38.84
550 21.67 0.2852 32.28 64.56 64.56
600 44.4 0.5844 49.86 99.72 99.7
650 67.95 0.8941 71.01 142.02 142
700 74.49 0.9802 81.91 163.82 163
750 40.43 0.5320 46.83 93.66 266 (360-Δ)
800 16.28 0.2142 27.57 55.14 304 (360-Δ)
850 25.65 0.3376 35.52 71.04 431 (360+Δ)
900 51.84 0.6822 55.68 111.36 471 (360+Δ)
950 47.77 0.6282 52.45 104.9 615 (720-Δ)
1000 25.92 0.3411 35.74 71.48 688 (720-Δ)
Page 8 of 9
2 5 2 3 2
U /10 Volt slope = 1.36 x 10 [Volt /degree]
with l =1.5 mm and d=1.4 mm
10 -9 2
Kerr constant: K=2.7 x 10 [m/Volt ]
9
0
Phase shift ∆/degree
0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900
Page 9 of 9