Laser beam deflector based on a domain-inverted electro-optic polymeric waveguide prism array

摘要

We report the demonstration of a compact laser-beam deflector based on electro-optic prisms formed within a thin-film polymer waveguide. We fabricate planar waveguides using a polymer that can be readily poled and cured through the simultaneous application of a poling voltage and heat. The index of refraction of each prism in the cascade, but not of the surrounding polymer, is modulated by the electro- optic effect through the application of a drive voltage. A laser beam, to be deflected, is coupled into and out of the planar waveguide by cylindrical lenses. The application of a drive voltage creates a sequence of prisms in the planar waveguide, which change the path of propagation of beam through the planar waveguide with a variable angle of refraction depending upon the voltage. The deflection efficiency is observed to be nearly 100 percent and the laser beam maintains its Gaussian intensity profile after propagating through the device.