Optical fibre modulator based on electrostatic attraction

A fibre-based electrostatic deflector is described that enables modulating the optical signal in fibre systems, A 2.5-cm long fibre length was gold co ated and deflected through the application of voltage between the fibre and an external electrode. Static measurements showed that the device is suita ble for e-field sensing, and 100% power modulation was obtained for resonan t frequencies similar to1 kHz. A peak voltage as low as 2 V gave a 15% modu lation depth with 65 mum diameter fibre, and the maximum frequency measured for a 65 mum fibre was similar to 40 kHz. In a proof-of-principle experime nt, a 1.61-mum wavelength Er3+/Yb3+ fibre laser was Q-switched by placing t he electrostatic fibre modulator inside the cavity, generating pulses of 4- mus duration. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.