Phase-perturbation-free measurement of electro-optic effect based on Mach-Zehnder interferometer.

A novel method of evaluating the electro-optic (EO) effect is proposed based on a Mach-Zehnder interferometer, where the interference fringes are perturbed by air turbulence and/or other mechanical vibrations of an optical bench. The method enables the practical and industrial measurement of the EO coefficient in any environment. It also provides the continuous or repetitive measurement, leading to evaluation of temporal change of an EO coefficient or orientation relaxation of an EO-chromophore containing polymer poled by an electric field.