Definition of acousto-optics

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Photonics Dictionary

acousto-optics: Acousto-optics is a branch of physics that deals with the interaction of sound waves (acoustic waves) and light waves (optical waves) within a medium. It primarily focuses on phenomena where acoustic waves modulate the properties of light waves, leading to various effects such as diffraction, modulation, and deflection of light.

Key aspects of acousto-optics include:

Acousto-optic effect: This is the fundamental phenomenon where an acoustic wave propagating through an optically transparent material induces periodic changes in the material's refractive index. These changes can alter the path, intensity, phase, polarization, or wavelength of light passing through the material.

Devices and applications: Acousto-optic devices utilize the acousto-optic effect to achieve various functions:

Acousto-optic modulators (AOMs): Modulate the intensity, phase, frequency, or polarization of light beams.

Acousto-optic deflectors (AODs): Control the direction of light beams.

Acousto-optic tunable filters (AOTFs): Selectively filter light based on wavelength.

Acousto-optic Q-switches: Rapidly switch laser pulses on and off.

Acousto-optic Bragg cells: Used in signal processing applications.

Applications: Acousto-optics has wide-ranging applications in fields such as telecommunications (for signal processing and switching), laser technology (for beam control and modulation), spectroscopy (for wavelength selection and scanning), imaging systems (for laser scanning microscopy and optical coherence tomography), and sensing technologies (for ultrasound imaging and acoustic wave sensors).

Acousto-optics plays a crucial role in modern optics and photonics, enabling precise control and manipulation of light using acoustic waves, which is essential for numerous scientific, industrial, and technological applications.