IRX SERIES
CdTe Pockels Cell
IRX3 / IRX4 / IRX5 / IRX7 / IRX9

Initially designed to address theQ-switched CO2 laser market at
10.6 μm, Gooch & Housego’s cadmium
telluride-based IRX Q-switch may be
configured to operate from ~3-12 μm.
Its high electro-optic coefficient andnon-hygroscopic nature makes CdTe
well-suited for this purpose.
Through more than 30 years of electro-optic device
design experience, G&H provides IRX Pockels cellswith application-specific AR coatings or Brewstercut ends, in apertures ranging from 3 mm-10 mm.
The IRX Pockels cells are able to addressapplications beyond the spectral range of traditionaloxide Pockels cells. The unique, patent pending
design also isolates the CdTe from the exterior
environment increasing the lifetime of the cell.
Water-cooled designs are available to increase theaverage power handling capacity (patent pending).

Features• High electro-optic coefficient CdTe crystal• Available with apertures ranging from 3-10 mm
AR coated or Brewster-cut crystals available• Environmentally isolated EO crystal• Customized versions available• Active cooling available (patent pending)• Operation from 3 µm-12 µm up to 100 kHz• Patent pending environmental control andhigh power water cooled option• Non-hygroscopic material• Low optical absorption
Benefits• High contrast ratio• Operation over wide spectral rangeApplications• CO2 laser Q-switching• IR pulse picking

IRX SERIES CdTe POCKELS CELL................................................................................................................................................................................
Datasheet ref: IRX Revision No. 1.1
As part of our policy of continuous product improvement, we reserve the right to change specifications at any time.

July 2017Page 1

Option for copy in header................................................................................................................................................................................
Typical specifications

IRX3IRX4IRX5IRX7IRX9Aperture diameters 13 mm4 mm

5 mm7 mm

9 mm

Optical transmission>98% @ 10.6 µm with 10.6 µm coatings

Intrinsic contrast ratio (ICR) @ 10.6 µm>500:1

Voltage contrast ratio (VCR) @ 10.6 µm>500:1

Single pass wavefront distortion @ 10.6 µm<λ/4Spectral range of operation

Must specify wavelength or band within 5-12 µm range

Optical transmission
LIDT>98% @ 10.6 µm with 10.6 µm coatings

2DC quarter-wave voltage (±6%) @ 10.6 µm

2.3 J/cm2, 1 mm diameter, 2.94 µm, 2 Hz, 100 ns
~4 kV

~5 kV

~6 kV

~7 kV

Capacitance (DC)~ 6 pF

10-90% rise time (theoretical) into 50 Ω line

~0.3 ns

Duty cycle in 1 s (applied voltage time/total time)< 10%~9 kV

1 Custom aperture sizes available
2 Recommended operation at 1/10 this fluence for increased longevity. LIDT will vary with wavelength and beam parameters.

IRX Series
CdTe Pockels Cell

For further information
E: sales@goochandhousego.com

goochandhousego.com

IRX SERIES CdTe POCKELS CELL................................................................................................................................................................................
Datasheet ref: IRX Revision No. 1.1
As part of our policy of continuous product improvement, we reserve the right to change specifications at any time.

July 2017Page 2