High resolution micromachining of organic crystals and optical modulators formed thereby

Abstract

Micromachined organic crystals are used in electro-optic modulators to provide high speed modulation capability. Machined modulator blocks of organic crystal material, such as dimethylamino n-methylstilbazolium tosylate (DAST), have smooth surfaces adapted to couple light between the organic crystal and a medium adjoining the crystal in the electro-optic modulator. Electrodes are disposed with respect to the modulator block such that an electric field is generated along a selected axis corresponding to the polar axis of the organic crystal. A method of machining the soft organic crystal adapted for use as a modulator includes illuminating the organic crystal material via an opaque mask having a selected pattern corresponding to a desired machined pattern for the organic crystal. The light illuminating the organic crystal has a wavelength corresponding to strong absorption bands in the organic crystal and is pulsed so as to ablate the surface in correspondence with the pattern in a non-contact self-developing machining process.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.