Acousto-optic frequency shifters play a vital role in laser spectroscopy. These devices alter the frequency of an optical beam based on Doppler shift caused by interaction between crystals and drivers, changing its frequency accordingly.
These devices can be utilized for various applications, including Q-switching and mode locking for pulsed laser systems, ultrafast frequency pulse pickers and linear frequency adjustments among many others. Furthermore, they may be employed in laser diffraction and heterodyning processes.
These devices can be utilized for various applications, including Q-switching and mode locking for pulsed laser systems, ultrafast frequency pulse pickers and linear frequency adjustments among many others. Furthermore, they may be employed in laser diffraction and heterodyning processes.
1. Doppler shift
Light that passes through rotating objects produces a doppler shift in its frequency, first observed by Iwo Bialynicki-Birula and Zofia Bialynicki-Birula in 1997, that allows scientists to detect objects like planets and companion stars in space.
Doppler effect (dancing along the waves) involves observations of redshifts in light to determine relative positions of objects in space, similar to when objects move away or towards us (opening and closing range). This phenomenon is commonly referred to as redshift. Redshift is caused by rotating objects altering light travel direction which leads to its redshift being noticed; unlike objects moving either away from or toward us (opening and closing range).
One way of detecting rotational Doppler effects is to measure its orbital angular momentum (OAM). OAM results from interaction between electric and magnetic fields that causes light spectra lines to change shape as they travel through space, producing OAM-induced distortions in their course.
OAM can be measured using FM spectroscopy, a specialized form of heterodyne detection. FM spectroscopy allows researchers to extract both absorption and dispersion spectra from an intensity spectrum by selecting an detection phase compatible with both its absorption and dispersion properties.
This technique has proven itself extremely sensitive in detecting absorption detection limits below 10-6/Hz1/2. Unfortunately, due to limitations such as amplitude noise and intensity fluctuations, it isn’t ideal for detecting molecules at higher concentrations.
Recently, it has been demonstrated that an interferometer comprising of two Mach-Zehnder interferometers – commonly referred to as an f-SSM – is capable of shifting laser frequencies with an impressive tuning range exceeding one kHz and wide modulation bandwidth (Gatti et al. 2015). Furthermore, the f-SSM can replace all frequency actuators used by NICE-OHMS systems, thus eliminating individual feedback servos specifically tailored for each laser.
By employing a f-SSM to generate sD NICE-OHMS signals, frequency stabilization of both EDFL and WGM lasers was accomplished over an integration time range of 100s-240s using Allan plots that show white noise responses from each laser in frequency deviations.
Doppler effect (dancing along the waves) involves observations of redshifts in light to determine relative positions of objects in space, similar to when objects move away or towards us (opening and closing range). This phenomenon is commonly referred to as redshift. Redshift is caused by rotating objects altering light travel direction which leads to its redshift being noticed; unlike objects moving either away from or toward us (opening and closing range).
One way of detecting rotational Doppler effects is to measure its orbital angular momentum (OAM). OAM results from interaction between electric and magnetic fields that causes light spectra lines to change shape as they travel through space, producing OAM-induced distortions in their course.
OAM can be measured using FM spectroscopy, a specialized form of heterodyne detection. FM spectroscopy allows researchers to extract both absorption and dispersion spectra from an intensity spectrum by selecting an detection phase compatible with both its absorption and dispersion properties.
This technique has proven itself extremely sensitive in detecting absorption detection limits below 10-6/Hz1/2. Unfortunately, due to limitations such as amplitude noise and intensity fluctuations, it isn’t ideal for detecting molecules at higher concentrations.
Recently, it has been demonstrated that an interferometer comprising of two Mach-Zehnder interferometers – commonly referred to as an f-SSM – is capable of shifting laser frequencies with an impressive tuning range exceeding one kHz and wide modulation bandwidth (Gatti et al. 2015). Furthermore, the f-SSM can replace all frequency actuators used by NICE-OHMS systems, thus eliminating individual feedback servos specifically tailored for each laser.
By employing a f-SSM to generate sD NICE-OHMS signals, frequency stabilization of both EDFL and WGM lasers was accomplished over an integration time range of 100s-240s using Allan plots that show white noise responses from each laser in frequency deviations.
2. Optical diffraction
Optic Diffraction is an essential tool of laser spectroscopy, used to produce the spectrum of an optical signal. The process involves diffracted through a material called diffraction grating with periodic variations in its optical properties that allows light entering it to be diffused into individual wavelength components that are then spatially separated allowing spectroscopy on smaller ranges at one time.
Diffraction gratings come in all sorts of shapes and sizes to meet a range of applications, from ruled and holographic gratings to other varieties used for different spectroscopic uses. While ruled and holographic are among the more widely-used varieties, others might be necessary depending on your spectroscopic needs.
An efficient diffraction grating depends upon both its geometry and period of variation for maximum effectiveness. Geometry determines available angular dispersion which in turn determines wavelength resolution while period determines available diffraction efficiency at any output angle – with higher efficiency indicating better resolution.
A diffraction grating can take on various shapes, such as an ellipse, circle or rectangle. They may even feature different diffraction angles – an option especially useful in applications involving spectrography where precise diffraction patterns must be achieved.
Diffraction gratings can be manufactured from various materials and then laser etched or etched by hand to create more complex shapes for more detailed diffraction patterns, although this requires more complicated manufacturing methods and can be expensive.
AA Opto-Electronic offers both fixed and variable acousto-optic frequency shifters that allow users to shift an incident light beam up or down by an amount. These devices can be operated using radio-frequency drivers.
Acousto-optic frequency shifters are essential tools in laser spectroscopy applications and an economical means of producing highly accurate spectra. They are used in performing Raman-Nath and Bragg diffraction measurements.
Optic diffraction analysis usually follows the Fraunhofer diffraction theory. This model states that light beam intensity is directly proportional to particle size when scattering it, yet this model may be inapplicable when dealing with particles with complex refractive index or transparent properties; more complex scattering theories like Mie’s may provide more effective analysis methods in such instances.
Diffraction gratings come in all sorts of shapes and sizes to meet a range of applications, from ruled and holographic gratings to other varieties used for different spectroscopic uses. While ruled and holographic are among the more widely-used varieties, others might be necessary depending on your spectroscopic needs.
An efficient diffraction grating depends upon both its geometry and period of variation for maximum effectiveness. Geometry determines available angular dispersion which in turn determines wavelength resolution while period determines available diffraction efficiency at any output angle – with higher efficiency indicating better resolution.
A diffraction grating can take on various shapes, such as an ellipse, circle or rectangle. They may even feature different diffraction angles – an option especially useful in applications involving spectrography where precise diffraction patterns must be achieved.
Diffraction gratings can be manufactured from various materials and then laser etched or etched by hand to create more complex shapes for more detailed diffraction patterns, although this requires more complicated manufacturing methods and can be expensive.
AA Opto-Electronic offers both fixed and variable acousto-optic frequency shifters that allow users to shift an incident light beam up or down by an amount. These devices can be operated using radio-frequency drivers.
Acousto-optic frequency shifters are essential tools in laser spectroscopy applications and an economical means of producing highly accurate spectra. They are used in performing Raman-Nath and Bragg diffraction measurements.
Optic diffraction analysis usually follows the Fraunhofer diffraction theory. This model states that light beam intensity is directly proportional to particle size when scattering it, yet this model may be inapplicable when dealing with particles with complex refractive index or transparent properties; more complex scattering theories like Mie’s may provide more effective analysis methods in such instances.
3. Stimulated Brillouin scattering
Stimulated Brillouin Scattering (SBS) is the result of an interaction between laser light and acoustic oscillations or sound waves; this interaction can be understood classically without depending on quantum mechanics; this explains its widespread presence in liquids and gases as well as becoming more significant than spontaneous Brillouin scattering in many instances.
SBS occurs when an optical pump laser creates a parametric process which simultaneously generates an exactly retro-reflected Stokes beam and an acoustic wave, both processes with energy and momentum conservation, in particular shifting of its original frequency by means of an acoustic wave.
At first, acoustic phonons are produced within a superfluid via electrostriction or surface waves due to fountain pressure; once generated, these acoustic phonons increase scattered light levels by reacting with incident fields; this process is known as the Acoustic Phonon Cycle and can be observed in many solid state materials like quartz and sapphire [16].
Brillouin gain increases when an input power exceeds the SBS threshold; it drops significantly when below that level because acoustic phonons interact with Stokes beam and cause pump depletion when its energy is consumed by phonons interacting with it; this process can be mathematically described using coupled-wave equations (2) and (3).
SBS has proven its worth in laser spectroscopy in numerous experiments over the last ten years, especially dark field microscopes that use SBS to compensate for biological sample turbidity and improve image quality.
SBS also plays a vital role in optical communications systems by offering variable pulse delays that could prove extremely helpful in optical communications networks. This technique takes advantage of SBS’s ability to modify dispersion in optical fibers by changing refractive index levels and thus altering group delay of delayed pulses.
SBS technology does have some drawbacks in fiber sensing applications. For example, its long acoustic phonon response time requires expensive continuous-wave laser stimulation; narrow-line pulsed lasers offer more viable stimulation solutions due to their quicker response times.
SBS occurs when an optical pump laser creates a parametric process which simultaneously generates an exactly retro-reflected Stokes beam and an acoustic wave, both processes with energy and momentum conservation, in particular shifting of its original frequency by means of an acoustic wave.
At first, acoustic phonons are produced within a superfluid via electrostriction or surface waves due to fountain pressure; once generated, these acoustic phonons increase scattered light levels by reacting with incident fields; this process is known as the Acoustic Phonon Cycle and can be observed in many solid state materials like quartz and sapphire [16].
Brillouin gain increases when an input power exceeds the SBS threshold; it drops significantly when below that level because acoustic phonons interact with Stokes beam and cause pump depletion when its energy is consumed by phonons interacting with it; this process can be mathematically described using coupled-wave equations (2) and (3).
SBS has proven its worth in laser spectroscopy in numerous experiments over the last ten years, especially dark field microscopes that use SBS to compensate for biological sample turbidity and improve image quality.
SBS also plays a vital role in optical communications systems by offering variable pulse delays that could prove extremely helpful in optical communications networks. This technique takes advantage of SBS’s ability to modify dispersion in optical fibers by changing refractive index levels and thus altering group delay of delayed pulses.
SBS technology does have some drawbacks in fiber sensing applications. For example, its long acoustic phonon response time requires expensive continuous-wave laser stimulation; narrow-line pulsed lasers offer more viable stimulation solutions due to their quicker response times.
4. Interference detection
Interference fringes can significantly decrease detection sensitivity in laser spectroscopy, so it’s critical to find an acousto-optic frequency shifter which will decrease interference fringes and enhance measurement sensitivity.
There are various techniques for reducing interference fringes, including using amplitude-splitting interferometers such as Fizeau, Mach-Zehnder and Fabry Perot to divide the laser beam amplitude into multiple beams that are then separated and recombined; they may also be used to generate and measure acoustic signals generated when laser light interacts with material.
Acoustic-optic frequency shifters can be particularly useful for minimizing interference fringes in laser absorption spectroscopy (LAS), which is one of several forms of Tunable Diode Laser Spectroscopy (TDL). A TDL device generates a focused laser beam which passes through a sample cell into an optical detector where its signal can be demodulated to generate absorption signals generated by any species that absorbs light emitted from it.
An AE produced by the shockwave generated when a focused laser interacts with a sample can be detected with a microphone, and converted to electrical signals for recording and analysis, making them particularly helpful when looking to detect surface texturing, for instance.
One set of experiments involved collecting acoustic signals while ablation occurred on flat samples made from X5CrNi18-10 stainless austenitic chromium nickel steel (EN 1.4301/AISI 304) with dimensions of 55mmx85mm and thickness of 0.7 mm. Acoustic signals were collected using an omnidirectional electret condenser microphone CMA-454PF-W (CUI Devices, Lake Oswego, USA), mounted 50 mm above the ablation zone for collection.
Figure 1a illustrates that acoustic signals were recorded using laser pulses spaced out at 1kHz to mark different lines on the sample’s surface, recording audio files for analysis subsequently showing that interference volume has shifted for spatial periods up to 255uJ (see Fig. 6a).
This shift can be explained by using an interference setup with an aspheric lens that produces longitudinal spherical aberration, leading to vertical shift of interference volume with variable spatial period resembling parabolic dependence.
There are various techniques for reducing interference fringes, including using amplitude-splitting interferometers such as Fizeau, Mach-Zehnder and Fabry Perot to divide the laser beam amplitude into multiple beams that are then separated and recombined; they may also be used to generate and measure acoustic signals generated when laser light interacts with material.
Acoustic-optic frequency shifters can be particularly useful for minimizing interference fringes in laser absorption spectroscopy (LAS), which is one of several forms of Tunable Diode Laser Spectroscopy (TDL). A TDL device generates a focused laser beam which passes through a sample cell into an optical detector where its signal can be demodulated to generate absorption signals generated by any species that absorbs light emitted from it.
An AE produced by the shockwave generated when a focused laser interacts with a sample can be detected with a microphone, and converted to electrical signals for recording and analysis, making them particularly helpful when looking to detect surface texturing, for instance.
One set of experiments involved collecting acoustic signals while ablation occurred on flat samples made from X5CrNi18-10 stainless austenitic chromium nickel steel (EN 1.4301/AISI 304) with dimensions of 55mmx85mm and thickness of 0.7 mm. Acoustic signals were collected using an omnidirectional electret condenser microphone CMA-454PF-W (CUI Devices, Lake Oswego, USA), mounted 50 mm above the ablation zone for collection.
Figure 1a illustrates that acoustic signals were recorded using laser pulses spaced out at 1kHz to mark different lines on the sample’s surface, recording audio files for analysis subsequently showing that interference volume has shifted for spatial periods up to 255uJ (see Fig. 6a).
This shift can be explained by using an interference setup with an aspheric lens that produces longitudinal spherical aberration, leading to vertical shift of interference volume with variable spatial period resembling parabolic dependence.
