Linear electro-optic effect

Glazer, A. M.; Cox, K. G.

doi:10.1107/97809553602060000633

International
Tables for
Crystallography
Volume D
Physical properties of crystals
Edited by A. Authier

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International Tables for Crystallography (2006). Vol. D. ch. 1.6, p. 151

Section 1.6.2.5. Linear electro-optic effect $[\varepsilon_o\chi_{ijk}E_j^{\omega_1}E_k^{\omega_2}]$

A. M. Glazer^a ^* and K. G. Cox^b ^‡

^a Department of Physics, University of Oxford, Parks Roads, Oxford OX1 3PU, England, and ^bDepartment of Earth Sciences, University of Oxford, Parks Roads, Oxford OX1 3PR, England
Correspondence e-mail: glazer@physics.ox.ac.uk

1.6.2.5. Linear electro-optic effect $[\varepsilon_o\chi_{ijk}E_j^{\omega_1}E_k^{\omega_2}]$

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If $[\omega_1 = \omega]$ and $[\omega_2 = 0]$ , i.e. $[\chi_{ijk}(\omega; \omega, 0)]$ , this contribution becomes $[P_i^\omega = \varepsilon_o\chi_{ijk}E_j^{\omega}E_k^{0}]$ and corresponds to the situation where light of frequency $[\omega]$ passes into the crystal at the same time as a static electric field is applied. The effect, sometimes known as the Pockels effect, is to change the polarization state of the incident light, effectively by altering the refractive indices of the crystal. This physical property is governed by the third-rank electro-optic susceptibility $[\chi^{(2)}]$ , components $[\chi_{ijk}]$ , which follow the same symmetry constraints as the piezoelectric tensor. Crystals therefore must lack a centre of symmetry for this effect to be observable. Although this can be classified as a nonlinear effect, because more than one incident field is involved, it is customary to call it a linear electro-optic effect , as only a single electrical field is used, and moreover there is no change in the frequency of the incident light.

References

International Tables for Crystallography (2006). Vol. D. ch. 1.6, p. 151