Acoustico-optic devices depend on the interaction between sound waves and light waves in crystals. This results in a diffraction effect which changes wavelength, frequency and intensity of an optical beam. These devices can be found in many applications, from Q-switches and mode-lockers to cavity dumpers and frequency shifters – commonly found integrated into pulsed lasers …
An acousto-optic modulator (AOM) is a device that controls light through interaction of sound waves with an optical crystal. AOMs are commonly found in optics systems like lasers, ion traps and spectrometers. They can deflect and alter the amplitude of light, shift frequency or change polarization; all achieved through strain induced by an applied sound …
The acousto-optic effect, also known as Brillouin scattering, occurs when sound waves interact with an opaque medium to cause light diffraction. First predicted by Leon Brillouin in 1922 and first experimentally demonstrated by Lucas Biquard and Debye Sears in 1932, it can be observed anywhere sound waves pass over surfaces that contain such obstacles as …
An acousto-optic device works when sound waves interact with the refractive index of a medium and cause periodic variations to its index of refraction, altering how light passes through. This creates periodic variations that alter how it passes through and deflect light that passes through it. Acousto-optic devices are commonly employed for applications including Q-switched …
Laser technology has catalyzed an increased demand for acousto-optic devices for applications like micro sensing, flat panel display and LiDar. As a result, modulators, deflectors and tunable filters have seen increased use in such systems. There is an array of materials used in acousto-optic components, with each offering their own advantages and disadvantages. Some materials …
Why Are Acoustic-Optic Devices Important in Laser Technology? Read More »
Acousto-optic effect refers to the interaction of high frequency sound waves with certain crystals that causes periodic fluctuations in their refractive index, creating the “acousto-optic effect.” This change can be used to amplitude modulate, deflect or shift the optical frequency of laser light and has been implemented into devices such as Q-switches, mode-lockers and beam …
How Can Acousto-Optic Devices Be Used in Optical Communication? Read More »
Acoustic-optic devices alter the amplitude, frequency, or phase of light passing through them by altering sound wave strength; these are commonly found in laser printers, video recorders, and video projection systems. Acoustic-optic devices can be constructed from various materials, including tellurium dioxide (TeO2), crystalline quartz and fused silica. Each material offers desirable properties like high …
Types of Materials Used in Acoustic-Optic Devices Read More »
Modulating laser beams is a common requirement of many applications, and using an acousto-optic modulator to do this has many advantages. Acoustic Optic Modulators (AOMs) generally employ sound waves to modulate an incoming light beam, which then diffracts at an angled and with different intensities. 1. High modulation bandwidth Acousto-optic modulators (AOMs) are commonly employed …
Acousto-Optic Modulators for Laser Beam Modulation Read More »
Acousticto-optic devices use acoustic waves in a medium to control light. They have numerous applications in optical filters, modulators and Q-switches. This paper introduces an innovative acousto-optic sensor designed for tracking catheter position during interventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The sensor consists of a miniature coil coupled to a piezoelectric transducer mechanically connected to an …
Recently, several on-chip acoustic wave (AW)-coupled AO modulators have been successfully demonstrated using thin-film piezoelectric materials1 such as zinc oxide2, gallium arsenide3, and aluminum nitride4. For optimal performance AW modulation however, an optical waveguide with low loss and an IDT capable of high efficiency should be seamlessly integrated into an optoelectronic platform. To investigate the …
What is the Difference Between Acoustic Wave Modulation and Electro-Optic Modulation? Read More »
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