3D Integrated Optical E-Field Sensor for Lightning Electromagnetic Impulse Measurement

Abstract

A 3D lithium niobate integrated electro-optical electric field (E-field) sensor utilizing three optical waveguide Mach-Zehnder interferometers has been designed, fabricated, and characterized for the measurement of lightning electromagnetic impulse (EMP). The linear detected E-fields with the sensor are 15-370 kV/m. Experimental results demonstrate that the half wave E-fields of the 3D probe are all more than 4000 kV/m which means the maximal detectable E-field can be exceed 1000 kV/m. Based on the time domain response for applying the nanosecond EMP, the frequency response of the sensor has been calculated up to 500 MHz.