Lead germanate: an advanced material for infrared electro-optic modulators

The analytical description of the electro-optic effect in trigonal crystals of 3 and 3̅ point groups was carried out. The anisotropy of this effect was analyzed for the case of lead germanate Pb
₅
Ge
₃
O
₁₁
crystal (point group 3). The maximal values of the electro-optic effect and the optimal conditions of electro-optic interaction were determined. The geometries of the effective and sensitive electro-optic cells based on investigated crystals for modulators of infrared electromagnetic radiation were proposed.