EO Sampling device
Partow THz E-field sensor uses Mach-Zehnder modulators made from lithium niobate thin films for detecting the THz wave. The sensor can replace bulky optical elements based on polarization modulation in time domain THz spectroscopy applications. The sensors can achieve high spatial resolution and can operated form near DC frequencies up to several THz. The sensor can be made from all dielectric materials or it can be made with THz antenna. For low THz field values antenna can enhance the sensitivity by a factor of 10. Dielectric type sensors do not perturb measurand electric field and can be used for applications with higher THz field. Since fiber optic cables are used no alignment is needed and the sensor can be readily placed in THz beam path for sampling of THz signals. The sensor operates at an eye safe wavelength of 1550nm. The device can be used to replace bulky electro-optic sampling crystals in THz time domain spectroscopy applications. Partow is currently developing devices for THz generation and for THz detection at higher frequency range up to 10THz.
Features
- Based on thin film lithium niobate
- Electro-optic Mach-Zehnder modulator
- DC frequency up to THz frequencies
- All dielectric materials
- Immune from electromagnetic interference
- High spatial resolution
Mach-Zehnder THz sensor, P/N MZ-THz-600-Q-B
| Parameter | Value | Additional Information |
|---|---|---|
| Dynamic range | 10V/m – 2MV/m | Typical using standard lasers and detectors |
| Sensitivity | 10V/(m. Hz 0.5) | Measured at low frequency using standard DFB lasers |
| Selectivity (Orthogonal components rejection) | >30 (dB) | |
| Optical insertion loss of the sensor | -12 (dB) | |
| Operating wavelength | 1550 (nm) | |
| -3dB Bandwidth of optical coupler | 50(nm) | |
| -3dB modulation bandwidth* | 0.6(THz) | Detection up to 10THz with 1.2THz bandwidth |
| Active interaction length | 600 microns | |
| Ep | 23 MV/m | Electric field value to change output from complete on to off state |
| Packaged sensor size | 3(mm) x 3(mm) | |
| Fiber length | 1(m) | |
| Fiber type, conector | 3 PM, FC/PC | Laser input and two fiber output for balanced detection |
*Measured using THz time domain spectroscopy setup