acousticoptic

Acoustooptic refers to phenomena and devices that involve the interaction of sound waves and light. This interaction typically occurs within a medium, such as a crystal or liquid, where acoustic waves modulate the optical properties of the material. When light passes through this medium, the variations in refractive index caused by the sound waves act like a moving diffraction grating.

This acoustooptic effect can be used to control light in several ways. One common application is in acoustooptic modulators, which can alter the intensity, frequency, or direction of a light beam. By changing the frequency or amplitude of the acoustic wave, the modulation of the light can be precisely controlled. Acoustooptic deflectors, for example, can steer a laser beam by changing the angle of diffraction.

Another important application is in acoustooptic tunable filters, which select specific wavelengths of light. These devices leverage the fact that the diffraction angle is dependent on the wavelength of light and the frequency of the acoustic wave. By tuning the acoustic frequency, a desired wavelength can be transmitted or reflected. Acoustooptic devices are known for their high speed, broad spectral range, and reliability, finding use in fields such as telecommunications, spectroscopy, and laser systems.