Fiber Optic High Voltage Probe

We developed a fiber coupled sensor to measure High Voltage directly using only light as the probe. We use the Pockles effect in lithium niobate crystal which will induce a phase shift in a laser beam that varies according to applied voltage. This can then be transformed into a modulation of beam intensity by polarizers, interferometery, or waveguide coupling. No voltage dividers are necessary, nor is any physical connection. This is accompanied by taking advantage of the structure of the power system itself, using voltage planes and dielectric insulation already present as the capacitive voltage divider. We hypothesize a bandwidth from GHz to DC. Such a system could be used in any application that calls for isolated and unobtrusive voltage sensing