The Pockels Effect (Friedrich Pockels 1865-1913)
as well as the Kerr effect are electrooptical effects. The only difference is the ratio voltage:effect ,with substances of the Pockels effect having a linear, while substances of the Kerr effect have a quadratic stress curve. The Pockels cell consists of a birefringent crystal, in this case lithium niobate. Electrodes are attached to it, between which an electric field forms when the voltage is applied. The light of a laser polarized by a polarizing filter is