New design for a photoelastic modulator.
Modulation of the polarization of light can be achieved by a periodical birefringence. A new photoelastic modulator is described in this paper. In comparison with previously described apparatus, the originality of our mounting consists in the production of longitudinal resonance vibrations caused by shear stresses. These are generated by thin ceramics glued to one side of the material, birefringence modulation being thus achieved. Thanks to the use of ceramics, this modulator is much easier to construct than were the previous ones. The stray birefringence is kept very low in this instrument.
Canit
J C
JC
ESPCI, Laboratoire d'Optique Physique, 10, rue Vauquelin, 75231 Paris CEDEX 05, France.
Badoz
J
J