The prism-based electro-optic beam deflector is a well-known technology dating back several decades. The primary
factor that has inhibited its wide-spread application is the need for high control voltages - typically around 1,000V per
degree of scanning for a device fabricated in bulk lithium niobate. We have used crystal ion slicing of lithium niobate to
realize a beam deflector with an order-of-magnitude higher deflection sensitivity. We have demonstrated 1x5 switching
of near-infrared light with a voltage swing of only +/-75V. While the optimal design of bulk deflectors is well
established, the thin-film geometry requires careful consideration of the crucial factors of light coupling efficiency and
control of beam divergence. This paper will discuss design issues for integrated 1xN switches based on this technology
and their application to implementing a practical true time delay module for phased array systems.
Pyroelectric thermal detectors are excellent candidates for detection of broadband radiation. Such detectors utilize
permanently poled ferroelectric single crystal lithium tantalate to generate a charge as the crystal heats up by absorbing
radiation. The charge, which results in a current output when connected to an external electrical circuit, is directly
proportional to the rate of change of temperature of the crystal. The fundamental approach toward enhancing pyroelectric
detector response is to form the pyroelectric material into a thin film. An elegant approach for producing bulk quality
thin films of pyroelectric materials is by crystal ion slicing. In this paper, we report on the formation of thin film lithium
tantalate (TFLT™) pyroelectric detector devices using the ion slicing process. The devices incorporate films less than 9
microns thin and feature apertures as large as 5 mm in diameter. To make functional detectors, ion sliced films were
transferred to ceramic carriers in TO-type can test packages. Test results have shown improvement in room temperature
detectivity about 20 times higher than the state-of-the-art lithium tantalate pyroelectric detectors.
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