Pockels Cells for Altering Light Polarization

EKSMA Optics provides Pockels cells that are employed to alter the polarization state of light; traveling through it when a voltage is applied to electro-optic crystals’ electrodes such as KD*P. Pockels cells can be combined with polarizer to function as fast optical switches.

Applications of KD*P Pockels cells include coupling light into and from regenerative amplifiers, laser cavity dumping, and laser cavity Q-switching. Pockels cells based on KD*P are normally utilized for Q-switching applications from the 400 nm to approximately 1.1 µm. In fact, most low repetition rate DPSS Nd:YAG lasers and flashlamp pumped Nd:YAG lasers are integrated with KD*P- based Pockels cell to enable Q-switching of laser cavity.

Electro-optical KD*P crystals have dielectric AR coatings that are resistant to high laser power. Moreover, Pockels cells of PC12SR and D-compact series have AR coated windows for extended lifetime and protection in harsh environment.

Key Features

The product features of the KD*P Pockels cells are:

Low absorption

Compact size

Low cost

Transmission from 400 to 1100 nm

Applications

Cavity Dumping

Q-switching of the laser cavity