LiBbO3:Ti Directional-Coupler Modulators For High-Bandwidth, Single-Shot Instrumentation Systems Operating At 800 Nm

We update our work on optical directional-coupler modulators (ODCMs) for single-shot, analog instrumentation systems operating at 800 nm. We can now fabricate directional-coupler devices that have one input and two output pigtails, with insertion losses of 8.9 dB on average. Data for the ODCMs indicate an impulse response of less than 40 ps. We have implemented these devices in an ultrafast, x-ray measurement system. We discuss our data from this implementation and their implications for continued ODCM development.