Laser Optics - Pockels Cells

A Pockels cell is a type of optical device that is used to control the polarization of a laser beam. A Pockels cell is typically made of a crystal, such as potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KDP) or lithium niobate (LiNbO3), that has the property of birefringence. When an electric field is applied to the crystal, it changes the refractive index of the crystal, which in turn changes the polarization of the light passing through it. By carefully controlling the electric field, the Pockels cell can be used to rotate the polarization of the laser beam, to switch it on and off, or to modulate its intensity. Pockels cells are commonly used in a wide range of applications, including laser material processing, laser spectroscopy, and laser-induced fluorescence. They are available in a variety of sizes, styles, and configurations, depending on the specific requirements of the application.