Changes

The operation of the NeoScan system is based on the Pockels electro-optic effect, which predicts the phase retardation and a change of the polarization state of an optical beam in an electro-optic (EO) crystal due to an impinging electric field. This effect is observed in non-centrosymmetric crystals when an electric field directed along certain crystal axes causes a change in the indices of refraction encountered by an incident optical beam. The electro-optic effect provides a means of modulating the phase or intensity of the optical radiation. It also makes it possible to detect the presence of an electric field impinging on an EO crystal. The polarization state of an optical beam travelling through an EO crystal is altered by the electric field in that crystal. A comparison of the original polarization states of the optical beam before and after interacting with the crystal allows a determination of the amplitude and phase of the impinging RF electric field. Since the electro-optic sensing phenomenon relies on small displacements of the atomic crystal structure, the response time of the process is extremely short. This short response time makes it possible to measure high-frequency electric fields up to the terahertz regime.