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W Bowden1, I R Hill1, P E G Baird2
1National Physical Laboratory, Hampton Road, Teddington TW11 0LW, United Kingdom.
The Review of Scientific Instruments
|February 3, 2017
Summary
This study introduces a novel piezoelectric optical shutter, offering low power and quiet operation. The device demonstrates fast switching speeds and high reliability for precise optical pulse generation.
Area of Science:
- Optics and Photonics
- Materials Science
- Mechanical Engineering
Background:
- Conventional electro-magnetic shutters present limitations in power consumption and acoustic noise.
- Precise control over optical switching is crucial for various scientific applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design and characterize a novel optical shutter utilizing a piezoelectric cantilever.
- To evaluate the performance, including speed, noise, and reliability, of the piezoelectric shutter.
- To compare its advantages over traditional electro-magnetic shutters.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of an optical shutter based on a piezoelectric cantilever.
- Implementation of a high-voltage op-amp circuit for precise control of cantilever movement.
- Characterization of shuttering rise/fall times, mechanical slew rates, and timing jitter.
- Assessment of device reliability through continuous operation testing.
Main Results:
- The piezoelectric shutter exhibits intrinsically low power consumption and acoustic quietness.
- Achieved shuttering rise and fall times of 11 μs with minimal timing jitter (< 1 μs).
- Demonstrated a factor of 30 reduction in mechanical noise compared to rapidly switched devices.
- Confirmed reliability with no measurable change in delay or actuation speed after one week of continuous operation.
Conclusions:
- The piezoelectric cantilever optical shutter offers a superior alternative to electro-magnetic shutters due to its low power, quiet operation, and high speed.
- The developed control circuitry allows for fine-tuning of mechanical parameters, reducing noise.
- The device shows excellent reliability and potential for generating short optical pulses (minimum 250 μs).
