Single-beam polarization interferometry measurement of the linear electro-optic effect in poled polymer films with a reflection configuration

Measurement of the linear electro-optic effect in poled polymer thin films with two parallel electrodes is analyzed. A single-beam polarization interferometry is adopted in a reflection configuration. The dependence of the linear electro-optic modulated intensity on linear optical parameters is investigated experimentally and is compared with the theoretical analysis. Specifically, the electro-optic modulated intensity is measured as a function of optical bias, optical polarization direction, and incidence angle. In particular, the dependence of the electro-optic modulated signal on the incidence angle shows that the linear electro-optic effect in the polymer thin film induces the modulations of both the refractive angle and the linear refractive index. Also, the amount of Fabry-Perot effect influencing the modulation signal is analyzed. (C) 1997 Optical Society of America.