Optical modulator with ZnO bulk single crystals

Abstract

An optical modulator was fabricated with semiconductor ZnO by associating a nematic liquid crystal layer with indium–tin oxide. This device revealed the height variation in the phase and refractive index of irradiation ultraviolet laser light (λ = 375 nm) as well as in the voltage applied. This new optical modulator operated efficiently in the infrared range up to 4 μm.