Use of a lithium niobate electro-optic deflector in optical communication lines

An electro-optic deflector made of a lithium niobate crystal was investigated. When the dimensions of the crystal were 3.3X3X18 mm, the angle of deflection of a helium-neon laser beam was 1' under a voltage of 150 V. This deflection increased linearly with the voltage throughout the investigated range from –2.8 to +2.8 kV. The use of such deflectors in optical communication lines is considered.