Figures of merit of magneto‐optic spatial light modulators with magnetophotonic crystals

This paper presents the simulated and measured results of two types of one dimensional magnetophotonic crystals (1-D MPC) with single cavity and dual cavity respectively for applcation to thin film type magneto-optic spatial light modulators (MOSLMs). The use of MPC is expected to be effective for thin film type MOSLM, because the apparent Faraday rotation is largely enhanced due to light localization in magnetic defect layer of MPC with a large number of periodic dielectric layers. The complex chracteristics of MPCs are discussed in this paper – Faraday rotation θF, transmittance T, and figure of merit F = T sin(2θF). It is key point of finding optimal structure of MPC for application of MOSLM to use F, because the T decreased with increase of k, while Faraday rotation θF increased, indicating that the enhancement of light modulation rate could be achieved by optimizing the figure of merit F defined by F ≈ T ·sin2θF. The maximum F = 13.7 was obtained in dual cavity MPC, while F = 12.5 was obtained in single cavity MPC. (© 2008 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)