BBO Pockels Cell
BBO-based pockels cell are used to change the polarization state of light passing through it when a voltage is applied to the electrodes of BBO electro-optic crystals. Typical applications include Q-switching of the laser cavity, laser cavity dumping, and coupling light into and forming regeneration amplifiers. Low piezoelectric ringing makes BBO Pockels cells attractive for the control of high-power and high repetition rate lasers. Fast-switching electronic drivers properly matched to the cell are available for Q-switching, cavity dumping and other applications. BBO Pockels cells are transverse field devices. The quarter-wave voltage is proportional to the ratio of electrode spacing and crystal length, therefor, smaller aperture, lower quarter-wave voltage, besides, double crystal design, which has lower quarter-wave voltage, is widely used to work in half-wave mode with fast switching times. Broad transmission ranges from 200nm to 2000nm.