Acousto-optic effects occur when light interacts with ultrasonic waves in a crystal. By changing the electrical drive signal that drives a piezoelectric transducer on which this crystal sits, modulation of its intensity can take place.
Acoustic velocity limits the bandwidth of such devices, necessitating a minimum focused diameter for optimal acousto-optic interaction.
Acoustic velocity limits the bandwidth of such devices, necessitating a minimum focused diameter for optimal acousto-optic interaction.
1. Frequency Dependence
Acousto-optic devices utilize light and sound waves to alter the optical properties of crystal, enabling the device to perform various functions. Their quality varies based on wavelength and design, for instance the performance of an AOTF is determined by factors like index of refraction/density ratio/wave velocity/phase matching conditions – the figure of merit measures all these variables together.
AOTFs utilize pairs of acousto-optic deflectors (AODs) with counterpropagating acoustic waves to control the (2D) focal position of an optical beam. A linearly chirped wave across one AOD causes its focal point to move laterally as it passes over it; on the second AOD a different chirp drives it instead and thus avoids drifting with an acoustic walkoff, thus maintaining focus of an incoming optical beam.
AOD transmission wavelength depends on both frequency and direction of acoustic wave propagation; while its diffraction efficiency varies with its frequency. These fluctuations limit maximum linear aperture size of AODs which varies from half to two times of its transit distance depending on frequency; more powerful frequencies lessen this restriction further.
Tunable acousto-optic devices impose a critical limit that limits how quickly their wavelength can be tuned. A typical tellurium dioxide AOTF offers a tuning range from near infrared wavelengths through visible light wavelengths – making it suitable for applications like confocal microscopy that combine multiple laser lines into a single system.
Additionally, acousto-optic diffraction processes are not necessarily polarization independent and must have the correct input polarization in order to operate, creating an issue for devices that rely on interaction between longitudinal and shear waves, such as AOMs. Shear-mode acousto-optic turbinometry has enabled certain AOMs to achieve polarization independence via electronic control of both wavelength and intensity simultaneously; which makes these devices useful in various optical applications.
AOTFs utilize pairs of acousto-optic deflectors (AODs) with counterpropagating acoustic waves to control the (2D) focal position of an optical beam. A linearly chirped wave across one AOD causes its focal point to move laterally as it passes over it; on the second AOD a different chirp drives it instead and thus avoids drifting with an acoustic walkoff, thus maintaining focus of an incoming optical beam.
AOD transmission wavelength depends on both frequency and direction of acoustic wave propagation; while its diffraction efficiency varies with its frequency. These fluctuations limit maximum linear aperture size of AODs which varies from half to two times of its transit distance depending on frequency; more powerful frequencies lessen this restriction further.
Tunable acousto-optic devices impose a critical limit that limits how quickly their wavelength can be tuned. A typical tellurium dioxide AOTF offers a tuning range from near infrared wavelengths through visible light wavelengths – making it suitable for applications like confocal microscopy that combine multiple laser lines into a single system.
Additionally, acousto-optic diffraction processes are not necessarily polarization independent and must have the correct input polarization in order to operate, creating an issue for devices that rely on interaction between longitudinal and shear waves, such as AOMs. Shear-mode acousto-optic turbinometry has enabled certain AOMs to achieve polarization independence via electronic control of both wavelength and intensity simultaneously; which makes these devices useful in various optical applications.
2. Attenuation
Sound waves traveling through transparent materials create periodic compressions and rarefactions, altering its index of refraction, which allows us to control light intensity passing through them – thus leading to commercial acousto-optic modulators, deflectors and Q-switches which use this principle.
Performance of an acousto-optic device depends on two elements of material performance – its figure of merit and attenuation. A higher figure of merit leads to improved results and decreased attenuation; its definition being defined as the ratio of optical power in the diffracted beam compared with incident power, while attenuation refers to how much acoustic wave power there is relative to optical power present in the medium.
As the acoustic wavelength is longer than optical wavelength, it is possible to modify its drive power in order to alter diffraction angles. A laser with an acousto-optic modulator, for instance, can act as a wavelength filter using control signals to vary its drive frequency – the resultant effect being deflection of beam to different angular positions as indicated by Figure 11.
For optimal performance, it is critical that the acousto-optic drive power be tailored appropriately to match that of the laser power and initial alignment to be managed carefully. Stabilization of laser power is also vital – power fluctuations have an adverse impact on signal-to-noise ratio while slow variations may reduce repeatability and accuracy in devices.
To optimize performance of acousto-optic devices, many manufacturers provide power supplies tailored specifically for use with their product. These power supplies offer voltages, impedances, and drive powers necessary for running each specific acousto-optic device.
At times, it may be necessary to combine multiple acousto-optic devices into one circuit in order to meet the demands of an application. For example, one-channel acousto-optic modulators are often employed as control mechanisms on diode lasers by controlling input power for their RF driver; then other acousto-optic devices serve to regulate their output power which is measured via polarizing beam splitter and photodiode detector.
Performance of an acousto-optic device depends on two elements of material performance – its figure of merit and attenuation. A higher figure of merit leads to improved results and decreased attenuation; its definition being defined as the ratio of optical power in the diffracted beam compared with incident power, while attenuation refers to how much acoustic wave power there is relative to optical power present in the medium.
As the acoustic wavelength is longer than optical wavelength, it is possible to modify its drive power in order to alter diffraction angles. A laser with an acousto-optic modulator, for instance, can act as a wavelength filter using control signals to vary its drive frequency – the resultant effect being deflection of beam to different angular positions as indicated by Figure 11.
For optimal performance, it is critical that the acousto-optic drive power be tailored appropriately to match that of the laser power and initial alignment to be managed carefully. Stabilization of laser power is also vital – power fluctuations have an adverse impact on signal-to-noise ratio while slow variations may reduce repeatability and accuracy in devices.
To optimize performance of acousto-optic devices, many manufacturers provide power supplies tailored specifically for use with their product. These power supplies offer voltages, impedances, and drive powers necessary for running each specific acousto-optic device.
At times, it may be necessary to combine multiple acousto-optic devices into one circuit in order to meet the demands of an application. For example, one-channel acousto-optic modulators are often employed as control mechanisms on diode lasers by controlling input power for their RF driver; then other acousto-optic devices serve to regulate their output power which is measured via polarizing beam splitter and photodiode detector.
3. Focusing
Acoustic waves moving through transparent materials cause periodic variations to the index of refraction, creating an acousto-optic (AO) effect. Alternate compressions and rarefactions within each sound wave create a grating that diffuses the light beam incident on it; its intensity depends on acoustic drive power; by altering this parameter one can manipulate deflection of light beam, creating an AO device suitable as either a beam scanner or deflector.
An important consideration when selecting an acousto-optic crystal for applications involving modulators or amplifiers is the acoustic/optical figure of merit (AFoM). This value measures the diffraction efficiency relative to drive power; higher values indicate better focusing. AFoM should also allow modulators or amplifiers to withstand higher optical powers without experiencing diffraction loss due to overexposure of light rays.
An acousto-optic figure of merit is determined by various factors, including photoelastic coefficient, transparency range and acoustic attenuation coefficient. Crystalline quartz and fused silica are popular choices for laser devices due to their relatively low photoelastic coefficient and high optical transmission; however, their high photoelastic coefficient doesn’t result in enough acousto-optic figure of merit to ensure proper focusing; better choices would include tellurium dioxide or lithium niobate material with higher photoelastic coefficient and lower transparency threshold threshold such as tellurium dioxide or lithium niobate.
As the diffraction efficiency of an acousto-optic deflector reaches saturation point at which no additional optical power enters its beam, you can achieve excellent control over deflection angle by manipulating its drive frequency. As such, these deflectors are especially beneficial in applications like laser scanners and spectroscopy that involve scanning laser beam across wide angles.
Acoustic tuning of extended-cavity lasers and ring-cavity lasers is made possible using AOTFs arranged in chirp compensation pairs inside their laser cavities, eliminating nanometer-size gaps from their tuning spectrum and reaching performance comparable to that of a conventional diffraction grating.
An important consideration when selecting an acousto-optic crystal for applications involving modulators or amplifiers is the acoustic/optical figure of merit (AFoM). This value measures the diffraction efficiency relative to drive power; higher values indicate better focusing. AFoM should also allow modulators or amplifiers to withstand higher optical powers without experiencing diffraction loss due to overexposure of light rays.
An acousto-optic figure of merit is determined by various factors, including photoelastic coefficient, transparency range and acoustic attenuation coefficient. Crystalline quartz and fused silica are popular choices for laser devices due to their relatively low photoelastic coefficient and high optical transmission; however, their high photoelastic coefficient doesn’t result in enough acousto-optic figure of merit to ensure proper focusing; better choices would include tellurium dioxide or lithium niobate material with higher photoelastic coefficient and lower transparency threshold threshold such as tellurium dioxide or lithium niobate.
As the diffraction efficiency of an acousto-optic deflector reaches saturation point at which no additional optical power enters its beam, you can achieve excellent control over deflection angle by manipulating its drive frequency. As such, these deflectors are especially beneficial in applications like laser scanners and spectroscopy that involve scanning laser beam across wide angles.
Acoustic tuning of extended-cavity lasers and ring-cavity lasers is made possible using AOTFs arranged in chirp compensation pairs inside their laser cavities, eliminating nanometer-size gaps from their tuning spectrum and reaching performance comparable to that of a conventional diffraction grating.
4. Detection
Longitudinal and shear acoustic waves produce a diffracted optical beam in a direction determined by their frequency. By changing the signal supplied to a driver connected to an RF piezoelectric transducer bonded to an acoustic crystal, its power and therefore intensity of diffracted beam can be modulated; this principle forms the foundation of devices used as pulse pickers and fast switches such as Q-switches, mode locks and cavity dumpers.
Diffraction efficiency decreases with increasing drive power for an acousto-optic device and eventually saturates at high drive powers (i.e., when more of the incident light is diffracted than can be collected back). Therefore, as wavelength increases the required drive power increases – an issue particularly concerning infrared applications.
Acoustic-optic devices also have one major drawback – their polarization dependency, depending on whether longitudinal or shear waves are used, as well as whether interaction is isotropic or anisotropic. Furthermore, the diffraction process relies heavily on light that has the desired output polarization for optimal functioning.
An AOTF serves as both an optical filter and frequency shifter through its Doppler effect, making it invaluable in terms of heterodyning, laser cooling, and controlling the spectral shape of laser beams.
One key limitation on an acousto-optic tunable filter is its spatial resolution, which depends both on linear aperture size and acceptance angle of the device. The Rayleigh criterion offers an easy way to assess this limited resolution; you can compare its value against that of other components of your microscope system for comparison purposes.
As technology for acousto-optic gratings and tunable filters has advanced, their performance is increasingly governed by material properties, such as figure of merit and attenuation. Common materials for these devices include fused quartz, tellurium dioxide and lithium niobate with new infrared-transmitting materials currently under development for use. Operating these infrared-transmitting devices remains challenging due to increased power requirements for operation.
Diffraction efficiency decreases with increasing drive power for an acousto-optic device and eventually saturates at high drive powers (i.e., when more of the incident light is diffracted than can be collected back). Therefore, as wavelength increases the required drive power increases – an issue particularly concerning infrared applications.
Acoustic-optic devices also have one major drawback – their polarization dependency, depending on whether longitudinal or shear waves are used, as well as whether interaction is isotropic or anisotropic. Furthermore, the diffraction process relies heavily on light that has the desired output polarization for optimal functioning.
An AOTF serves as both an optical filter and frequency shifter through its Doppler effect, making it invaluable in terms of heterodyning, laser cooling, and controlling the spectral shape of laser beams.
One key limitation on an acousto-optic tunable filter is its spatial resolution, which depends both on linear aperture size and acceptance angle of the device. The Rayleigh criterion offers an easy way to assess this limited resolution; you can compare its value against that of other components of your microscope system for comparison purposes.
As technology for acousto-optic gratings and tunable filters has advanced, their performance is increasingly governed by material properties, such as figure of merit and attenuation. Common materials for these devices include fused quartz, tellurium dioxide and lithium niobate with new infrared-transmitting materials currently under development for use. Operating these infrared-transmitting devices remains challenging due to increased power requirements for operation.
