Pockels Cells are electro-optic devices used to switch the polarization direction of light beams. Their operating principle is the Pockels effect, by which an applied electric field produces linear change 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.
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
- Pulse Picking
| Pockels Cell Performance Specifications | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Model | Type | Crystal | Wavelength Range | Transmission @ 1064nm | Standard Apertures | Cell Capacitance | Quarterwave Voltage @ 1064 nm | Extinction Ratio @ 1064 nm | Damage Threshold @ 1064 nm |
| PKC21 | Single Crystal | KD*P | 0.25 - 1.32 µm | >99% | 9.5 mm 12 mm 15 mm 20 mm 25 mm |
8 pF 9 pF 10 pF 14 pF 17 pF |
3.3 kV | >1000:1 |
>800 MW/cm2 peak @ 10ns pulses |
| PKC26 | Single Crystal, Compact | >99% | 9.5 mm | 8 pF | |||||
| PKC8050 | Dual Crystal | >96% | 8.0 mm | 11 pF | 1.65 kV | >50 W/cm2 CW | |||
| PBC05 | Single Crystal | BBO | 0.22 - 2.1 µm | >98% | 2.5 mm 3.5 mm |
~3 pF | 3.6 kV 4.8 kV |
>1000:1 | >500 MW/cm2 peak @ 10ns pulses |
| PBC06 | Dual Crystal | >97% | 3.5 mm 4.5 mm 5.5 mm |
~5 pF | 2.4 kV 3.1 kV 3.6 kV |
>500:1 | >3 kW/cm2 CW | ||
*Typical cell performance is specified at 1064nm. For other wavelengths, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.