Kerr effect
Electric birefringence phenomenon
The Kerr effect is a change in a material's optical properties when an electric field is applied—specifically, the material becomes birefringent, bending light differently depending on its polarization.
Named after physicist John Kerr.
The effect is used in optical shutters and modulators.
A related magneto-optic Kerr effect occurs with magnetic fields instead of electric ones.
- anisotropyDirection-dependent property variation
- nonlinearNot in sequence
- polarizationSeparation into opposing extremes
- laserConcentrated light device
- refractiveBending light through media
intensity · lightwave · fiber optics · retardation · spectroscopy · beam · dichroism · lithium niobate · modulation · pulse · parametric · electric field · phase shift · interferometer · waveguide · shutter · crystal · photonics
- opticslens, lenses, mirror, mirrors, prism
- Magneto-opticsFaraday rotation, MOT
- photonicsphotonics, photon, optics, laser, optical fiber
- polarizationpolarizer, divide, polarized light, divisiveness, polarizing filter
- optical modulatorsamplitude modulation
- Polarimetryspecific rotation
electro-optic vs magneto-optic effects
Kerr effectFaraday rotation
Magnetic field rotates polarization