A study of electro-optical modulators for transfer of detector signals by optical fibers

Preliminary results of an investigation to minimize the local electronics on the detector by the use of electro-optical intensity modulators are reported. The electrical signal from the detector is converted into an optical signal by a Mach-Zehnder interferometer modulator based on the properties of electro-optical crystals such as LiNbO3. The modulator is driven by the electrical signal is brought in from a remote souce and exits on an optical fiber to a data collection site. The results of the first tests of optical modulators with respect to their application to particle detectors will be presented. These include the optical power requirement, the linearity, the dynamic range, and the noise characteristics. Finally, the outlook for their application on a large scale is discussed