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Ultra compact 8mm KD*P Pockels cell with integrated polarizer and waveplate for Q-switching

Prompted by a need for even smaller components than our model EM510C we have developed this latest model EM508UC to provide a full, 8mm aperture in a package only 19mm diameter yet it also packs a factory pre-aligned thin film Brewster plate polarizer and quarter wave retardation plate making it ideal for pulsed quarter wave Q-switching.

The Brewster polarizer is required when Q-switching laser media that do not have strongly polarized gain cross-sections and of course, Nd:YAG is a classic example (Nd:YVO4 would not require the polarizer). The retardation plate is usually oriented towards the rear mirror so P-polarized light which passes through the polarizer during the pump phase is converted to S-polarization after a double pass and is rejected from the cavity by the polarizer. The cavity therefore experiences high loss during this phase. The application of a fast rise time (ask about our drivers) quarter wave pulse means that P-polarized light passing through the polarizer is no longer switched to S-polarization so this then experiences minimum loss and the P-polarization is then allowed to be amplified in the cavity and the giant, Q-switched pulse is produced.

Ultra compact 8mm KD*P Pockels cell with integrated polarizer and waveplate for Q-switching
Both the Brewster thin-film polarizer and the low order quarter wave retardation plate will be pre-aligned with the axes of the KD*P crystal. The standard orientation is for transmitted P-polarization to be parallel to the axis of the connecting studs, but if you prefer we can orientate the studs at 90° to the polarizing optical elements on request.

Provisional Specifications

ParameterEM508UC
Aperture:8mm
Wavelength Range: 1064nm *
Halfwave Voltage @ 1.06μm:Approximately 6.2 kV static, 7.5kV dynamic
Maximum Voltage:8kV
Optical Rise Time:< 1.0 ns
Contrast Ratio @ 1.06μm:> 1000:1
Capacitance Unterminated:< ~5 pF
Damage Threshold: 600 MW/cm2
Insertion loss (P-polarization):4%
Extinction ratio:>300:1 **
EM508UC Interface Drawing
* The standard wavelength is 1064nm but optionally devices may be made for other wavelengths depending on availability of the Brewster polarizer – 515nm, 532nm, 1030nm, 1047nm, and 1047nm are also possible at this time.

** Polarizer limited

Application Notes for Pockels Cells:
The Linear Electro-Optic Effect
Selecting the Right Pockels Cell
Setting Up the Q-Switch
Pulse Slicing with Pockels Cells
Pulse Picking with 4 Terminal Pockels Cells

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