Electro-optic properties of LiKSO4 and LiK1-xRbxSO4 crystals

1-x Rb_xSO₄ for x varying between 0 and 0.50 were investigated by an ac modulation method based upon the Sénarmont arrangement. The electro-optic coefficient r_c, and for the first time the coefficients r₄₁ and r₅₁ were determined with good accuracy in pure LiKSO₄ around room temperature at a wavelength of 633 nm. The frequency dependence of the electro-optic coefficient r_c was measured in the frequency range from 1 kHz up to 1 MHz. The values of the factor of merit n_e ³r_c of the mixed crystals LiK_1-xRb_xSO₄ were obtained for the first time, for the concentrations x=0.05, 0.10, 0.20, and 0.50. The electro-optic properties are shown to be affected by the random presence of the rubidium ions in this disordered system. Received: 16 March 1998/Revised version: 2 June 1998