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Photonics Dictionary

electro-optic deflector

An electro-optic deflector is a device that can change the direction of light beams using an electric field. It operates based on the electro-optic effect, which involves the modulation of the refractive index of a material in response to an applied electric field. 

The basic principle of an electro-optic deflector involves passing a light beam through a material with electro-optic properties and applying an electric field to the material to induce a change in its refractive index. This change in refractive index causes the light beam to experience a change in direction as it passes through the material. By controlling the strength and orientation of the electric field, the deflection angle of the light beam can be precisely adjusted.

Electro-optic deflectors are commonly used in various optical systems for applications such as laser scanning, beam steering, optical switching, and spatial light modulation. They offer advantages such as high-speed operation, precise control, and low power consumption compared to mechanical deflectors or other optical devices.

One common implementation of an electro-optic deflector is the electro-optic modulator (EOM), which utilizes the electro-optic effect to modulate the intensity, phase, or polarization of light beams. Another example is the acousto-optic deflector (AOD), which combines the electro-optic effect with acoustic waves to achieve rapid and precise beam deflection.
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