Continuous control of polarization state and tunable dual-channel optical communication based on highly transparent PMN-PT electro-optic ceramics

Transparent ferroelectric materials have excellent electro-optic properties, suitable to be used to develop high-performance optical communication devices. La-doped 88Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3–12PbTiO3 (88PMN-12PT) transparent ceramics with excellent comprehensive performances, including high transparency of 70.5% at near-infrared wavelength (close to its theoretical value), large quadratic electro-optic coefficient of 23.6 × 10−16 m2 V−2, low half-wave voltage (Vπ) of 146 V, and good extinction ratio of 34 dB, are successfully prepared in this paper. Based on the electro-optic effect of PMN-PT transparent ceramics, laser polarization state is transformed continuously from linear polarization to elliptical polarization, later to circularly polarization by applying electric field. Furthermore, dual-channel optical communication with a tunable laser intensity ratio is first reported here. Results indicate that PMN-PT transparent ceramic is a promising candidate for electro-optic material in polarization controller, optical switch, and information monitor in optical communication.