Basics of Electro-Optics

As in the Basics of Optics, electro-optics is concerned with the generation, control of propagation and detection of electromagnetic waves. The main difference is that electro-optics specializes in components, devices and systems which operate by modification of the optical properties of a material by an electric field. Typically, they are in the infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum.

This lesson will answer those questions.

Generation

Electro-optics is concerned with the generation of electromagnetic waves by the means of electrical fields. Certainly, radio and television waves and microwaves are created electronically, as are some lasers and masers.

But in the case of longer wavelengths, electro-optics is not concerned with the creation of the radiation as it is concerned with the propagation and detection. For example, infrared radiation is often generated by the heat of an object, but its detection usually requires electronic means.

Controlling propagation

There are electronic devices that can control the propagation of non-visible light, but they are not the mainstay of electro-optics. Usually exotic materials are used to direct and focus the various non-visible waveforms.

Detection

Detection is the heart of electro-optics. Photodetectors respond to electromagnetic radiation and electrically record its characteristics. The sensors in some photodetectors record a change in electrical resistance, while others create an electrical potential. Chemical detection of radiation, such as with photographic film is not usually considered part of electro-optics.

Electronic devices such as focal-plane arrays and charge-couple devices (CCD) are often used to detect and directly change the light into an electrical signal.

Complex is not necessarily better

Resources and references

Websites

Electro-Optics Resources