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Photonics Dictionary

acousto-optic diffraction

Acousto-optic diffraction refers to the process where light passing through an optically transparent material is diffracted due to the modulation of its refractive index by an acoustic wave propagating through the material. This phenomenon is a key principle underlying the operation of acousto-optic devices.

Key aspects of acousto-optic diffraction include:

Principle: When an acoustic wave travels through a material, it creates periodic variations in the refractive index of the material. These variations act as a diffraction grating for the incident light passing through the medium.

Diffraction efficiency: The intensity and direction of the diffracted light depend on the wavelength and polarization of the incident light, as well as the frequency, amplitude, and direction of the acoustic wave.

Applications: Acousto-optic diffraction is used in various applications such as acousto-optic modulators (AOMs), acousto-optic deflectors (AODs), and acousto-optic tunable filters (AOTFs). These devices are employed in laser beam steering, optical signal processing, spectroscopy, telecommunications, and imaging systems where rapid and precise control of light beams is required.

Acousto-optic diffraction enables efficient and versatile manipulation of light beams using acoustic waves, offering advantages such as high-speed operation and precise control over optical signals in diverse technological applications.
 
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