Single-beam polarization interferometry measurement of the linear electro-optic effect in poled polymer films with a reflection configuration

Abstract

Measurement of the linear electro-optic effect in poled polymer thin films with two parallel electrodes is analyzed. A single-beam polarization interferometry is adopted in a reflection configuration. The dependence of the linear electro-optic modulated intensity on linear optical parameters is investigated experimentally and is compared with the theoretical analysis. Specifically, the electro-optic modulated intensity is measured as a function of optical bias, optical polarization direction, and incidence angle. In particular, the dependence of the electro-optic modulated signal on the incidence angle shows that the linear electro-optic effect in the polymer thin film induces the modulations of both the refractive angle and the linear refractive index. Also, the amount of Fabry–Perot effect influencing the modulation signal is analyzed.