Patent ID: 6307666
Filing Date: 2001-10-23
Classification: G01R,G02F

Abstract:
A crystal, through which an input beam may be propagated, for use in an electric field generated by a voltage that self-compensates for environmental variations, the crystal comprising:a Pockels crystal having three orthogonal indices of refraction designated n.sub.p1, n.sub.p2, and n.sub.p3 ; anda compensating crystal possessing optical properties substantially identical to the Pockels crystal, the compensating crystal having three orthogonal indices of refraction, designated n.sub.c1, n.sub.c2, and n.sub.c3, that correspond to the similarly numbered indices of refraction of the Pockels crystal, wherein the compensating crystal is optically coupled to and rotated approximately 90 degrees with respect to the Pockels crystal, such that n.sub.c1 of the compensating crystal is oriented in the same direction as n.sub.p2 of the Pockels crystal and n.sub.c2 of the compensating crystal is oriented in the same direction as n.sub.p1 of the Pockels crystal.