Biaxial crystals offer a huge advantage for design of acousto-optic tunable filters (AOTFs) because of a variety of two-dimensional transfer functions. Special configurations of noncritical phase matching of anisotropic Bragg diffraction offer the transfer functions suitable for tunable spatial filtering of laser beams, which can be used for phase imaging and laser beam shaping. We analyze special configurations of AOTFs in alpha-iodic acid (orthorhombic system) and potassium yttrium tungstate (monoclinic system) crystals and demonstrate unique two-dimensional transfer functions, which originate from symmetries of the biaxial crystals' refractive index surface. The results include transfer function simulations and corresponding configuration analysis for AOTF design.
Acousto-optic dispersive delay line with 4K Nyquist-limited resolution was designed and fabricated for high-definition ultrashort laser pulse shaping. The delay line was optimized for Ti:sapphire laser radiation supporting over 200 nm bandwidth with the transmission passband of 0.18 nm. Experimental assessment and applications of the delay line for time-domain ultrashort pulse modulation are discussed in the report. Arbitrary complex-valued spectral transmission functions of the delay line can be obtained using dispersive Fourier synthesis algorithm for RF waveforms. The results include programmable replication of transform limited femtosecond pulses in 3 ps delay range and time-domain chirped pulse modulation with sub-4-ps rise/fall time of pulse fronts.
A prototype of two-coordinate spatial light modulator (SLM) based on acousto-optic diffraction in KY(WO4)2 monoclinic crystal is proposed. The SLM design is based on a special configuration of isotropic Bragg diffraction in monoclinic crystals, which used autocollimation of the acoustic beams and operation with unpolarized light. This enables a unique design of a two-coordinate Bragg cell, which can be used as a monolithic X-Y deflector or as an SLM. Experimental results and limitations of the prototype performance are discussed in the report. Overall efficiency over 50% at 4 W of driving RF power has been demonstrated for the laser wavelength of 532 nm. Optical modulation rise/fall time is ~220 ns/mm for each coordinate.
Multifrequency AOTF operation provides accurate controlling of the transmitted optical spatial frequencies. We demonstrate its advantages for increased throughput in acousto-optic phase imaging and flexibility of controlling annular optical traps.
We propose a novel concept of using a noncollinear AOTF as a spatial beam shaping device for programmable laser
beam shaping. The AOTF transfer function symmetry is used to provide a ring-shaped field distribution.
Acousto-optic tunable filters (AOTF) enable high-performance imaging spectral photometry used in astronomy, remote sensing, biomedical imaging, and security. An essential feature of AOTFs is polarimetric capability owing to birefringence of crystals used in their design. A spectral polarimeter captures two orthogonal polarizations simultaneously. However, AOTF’s two-dimensional transfer function in polarimetric mode is asymmetric. We demonstrate using chirped driving RF signals to obtain uniform transfer function for two orthogonally polarized Bragg images. This technique can be also used for adjusting the spectral transmission of an AOTF supporting up to 10-fold extension of the passband.
We designed a new configuration of acousto-optic spatial light modulator based on biaxial crystal KY(WO4)2 (KYW). This material has proved to be a good candidate to fill the gap between paratellurite having high acousto- optic efficiency and quartz having low efficiency but high laser-induced damage threshold. The modulator uses isotropic diffraction by a slow quasi-shear bulk acoustic wave propagating in the autocollimation direction. This ensures good compromise between acousto-optic figure of merit, which is only 30% less than in z-cut longitudinal- wave paratellurite, and high laser-induced damage threshold. The prototype modulator has the spatial resolution of 250 with the central frequency of 100 MHz and the aperture of 20 mm. The designed spatial light modulator is aimed at high-power ultrashort laser pulse shaping applications in near and middle infrared.
Optical frequency combs (OFC's) are extremely important for optoelectronics to date. They have found a great variety of practical applications. Some of proposed OFCs generation methods apply acousto-optic (AO) devices. The AO devices in such schemes are used either as the element devoted to the OFC phase stabilization or, much less often, they play the role of the key element responsible for optical radiation frequency shifting in the frequency-shifting loop (FSL). In this paper we continue the theoretical examination of new OFC generation method based on joint application of collinear AO diffraction geometry and FSL. This method gives two novel OFC generation schemes. In the first one collinear AO cell is fed by radio-frequency (RF) generator and FSL connects AO cell optical output and input. The second scheme includes not only FSL but also the optoelectronic feedback connecting the optical output of the system with the piezoelectric transducer of the AO cell. In this case the system operates like optoelectronic generator and external RF generator is not needed. The theoretical model is presented for both cases. Each of the systems gives the possibility to generate OFCs in several ways with varying characteristics. The influence of collinear AO diffraction parameters on the generated OFC characteristics such as spectral width, number of spectral components and envelope shape is examined.
We analyze the relations between discrete RF signals and their spectra from the point of view of the sampling theorem and properties of discrete Fourier transform. The RF waveforms with given duration and spectral bandwidth are used for controlling acousto-optic tunable filters in programmable broadband transmission mode. It is demonstrated that the maximum second order dispersion of the AOTF is reduced by the factor of 2 compared to a linear chirped signal with the same bandwidth and duration. This analysis is important for applications in precision ultrafast laser pulse shaping and adaptive spectroscopy.
Optical frequency combs (OFC) occupy an important place in modern optoelectronics. Plenty of OFC generation methods and practical application concepts were proposed in recent decade. Among the generation methods are several based on acousto-optic (AO) interaction application. In this paper we theoretically examine new OFC generation method based on joint use of collinear AO diffraction and frequency-shifting loop. This method gives two novel OFC generation schemes. The first one contains collinear AO cell driven by radio-frequency (RF) generator and optical loop connecting optical output and input of the AO cell. The second one includes not only the optical loop but also the optoelectronic feedback connecting the optical output of the system with the piezoelectric transducer of the AO cell. In this case the system operates above the self-excitation threshold without RF generator. Both systems were examined theoretically, it was discovered that they give the possibility to generate OFC’s in several ways. The switching between them is realized by mutual reorientation of a pair of polarizers placed before and behind the AO cell and achromatic half-wave plate included in the optical feedback loop. It is shown that the parameters OFCs obtained in the system with only optical feedback are determined by AO cell material, RF generator signal frequency and magnitude, optical loss and amplification. The system with both optic and electronic feedback gives the unique opportunity to obtain chirped OFCs.
This paper describes the development, manufacturing and testing of acoustooptic (AO) modulator made of bismuth sodium molybdate NaBi(MoO4)2 crystal. Despite the rather long interest in NaBi(MoO4)2 crystals as possible AO material, there is no information about their practical use in acousto-optics. The isotropic orthogonal interaction geometry was used, a longitudinal piezoplate was used as a piezoelectric transducer, the acoustic wave was directed along the crystallographic axis Z. The modulator has shown a high diffraction efficiency (up to 87%) with an RF power of 2.5 W. NaBi(MoO4)2 is characterized by manufacturability during crystal growing and during mechanical processing and optical homogeneity
We designed a high-efficient acousto-optic Q-switch based on a potassium yttrium tungstate crystal (KY(WO4)2), or KYW. Isotropic acousto-optic interaction along NmNg plane of dielectric axes of the crystal was used. The Q-switch operated at the wavelength of 2.1 μm of a Ho:YAG laser with the diffraction efficiency over 60% at the RF driving power of 20 W. No laser damage of the crystal with antireflection coatings was observed at 12 J/cm2 fluence for nanosecond pulses.
We report a novel concept of an advanced hyperspectral imaging system based on acousto-optical tunable filters (AOTFs) with optional phase imaging modality. Visualization of phase objects is performed using an additional adjustable liquid crystal amplitude mask. The mask shape is matched with the two-dimensional transfer function of the AOTF enabling bandpass spatial filtering. Label-free phase object visualization is demonstrated with unstained histological sections using diascopic incoherent illumination of a standard inverted light microscope.
We report design of laboratory prototype for a compact infrared acousto-optic imaging spectro-polarimeter, which may be implemented for remote or close-up analysis of planetary surfaces. The prototype concept contains a telecentric optics, apochromatic design over the bandwidth of 0.9–3.4 μm, and simultaneous imaging of two orthogonal linear polarizations of the same scene at a focal plane array (FPA). Two acousto-optic channels, the near-IR (0.9-1.7 μm) the mid-IR (1.5–3.4 μm), were developed with spectral resolution of 100 cm-1 (10 nm at 1 μm) and 25 cm-1 (20 nm at 3 μm) respectively. When imaging samples, the spatial resolution of 0.2 mm at the target distance of one meter was reached. It corresponds to 100 by 100 elements resolved at the FPA for each of the two light polarizations. This type of instruments may be considered as a potential reconnaissance and analysis tool for future planetary or moon landers and rovers to study spectral and polarization properties of the regolith.
Acousto-optic Bragg diffraction is an electronically controllable angular-selective type of laser beam scattering. A variety of transfer functions of acousto-optic Bragg diffraction in crystals is observed from the point of view of laser beam shaping. Those include one-dimensional isotropic filtering, and two-dimensional anisotropic X- and O-type transfer functions. Those types of transfer functions are useful for obtaining flat-top laser beam shaping, focusing, and wavefront sensing. Dynamic generation of ultrasonic waveforms is discussed as a method for adaptive control of the transfer function shape.
We report design of acousto-optic imaging spectrometer for spectral and polarimetric photometry and commis- sioning of the instrument at 0.6-m F/12.5 telescope at the Southern Astronomical Station of Lomonosov Moscow State University. The spectrometer was operating over the spectral range 3800–5800 Å with the passband of 10 Å at the wavelength of 5000 Å The imaging spectrometer could be used for observations of objects with the minimum brightness of 12.5 mag (for 0.6-m telescope, 120 s exposition, and SNR∼10). Spatial resolution of the spectrometer was estimated better than 1.2”, and the field of view was ∼250”.
We report on the acousto-optic spectral imaging system designed for speckle imaging observations and interferometry. The setup is based on a non-collinear paratellurite acousto-optic tunable filter (AOTF). Breadboard prototype of the system with an in-house fabricated AOTF has been designed and commissioned. The prototype spectral range covers the band from 3600 to 5800 Å. Arbitrary spectral transmission function synthesis of the AOTF was applied. The AOTF spectral transmission bandwidth is programmable in the range from 44 to 875 cm−1 (12.5–250Å at the wavelength of 5050Å). The AOTF is synchronized with the CCD readout and can be used as a global electronic shutter with on/off switching time of 12 μs. The exposure is adjusted as any integer multiple of 4.5 μs.
We propose a concept of an imaging near-IR spectrometer for sensing of planetary surfaces. This instrument is intended to analyze mineralogical and, in some cases, petrographic composition of the upper surface layer in the planetary regolith; to identify and monitor OH/H2O bearing minerals and water adsorption in this layer. The scheme of the spectrometer was designed on a basis of an acousto-optic tunable filter (AOTF) that allows imaging of samples in two orthogonal polarization planes simultaneously. Images are registered as a light (e.g. solar one) reflected and scattered from an observed target in the near infrared spectral range. The AOTF’s electrical tuning provides fast and flexible spectral scanning of an image through whole the range analyzed – potentially, ten microseconds per a spectral point. Thus, it is possible to explore reflectance spectra of specified areas on a sample and to detect its minerals composition and microstructure variations. In parallel, one can estimate polarization contrast at different wavelengths thanks to the AOTF’s birefringence properties. In this paper we report design and performance of a laboratory prototype for the near-IR spectro-polarimeteric imaging AOTF system operating in the spectral range from 0.8 to 1.75 μm. Reflectance spectra of some minerals were measured with the spectral resolution of 100 cm-1 (passband 10 nm at 1 μm). When imaging samples the spatial resolution as high as 0.5 mm was reached at the target distance of one meter. It corresponds to 100 by 100 resolving elements on the CCD matrix for each of two polarizations of the reflected light. Such a concept is also being designed for the spectral range from 1.7 to 3.5 μm.
We report a method for phase visualization in the images of transparent specimens using analog image processing in incoherent light. The experimental technique is based on adaptive bandpass spatial filtering with an amplitude mask matched with an acousto-optic tunable filter in a telecentric optical system. We demonstrate the processing of microscopic images of unstained and stained histological sections of human thyroid tumor with improved contrast.
We developed an acousto-optic hyperspectral imaging system with edge enhancement capability. The system is an add-on to a standard light microscope. Edge enhancement operation mode is aimed for analysis of low-contrast microscopic samples, e.g. unstained cytological smears and histological samples, live cells. Edge-enhancement imaging mode is based on a feature of acousto-optic tunable filters to perform band-pass spatial filtering when unturned from noncritical phase matching geometry is diffraction. Switching between standard hyperspectral imaging and edge-enhancement modes is performed by means of a telecentric amplitude mask.
We report a method for edge enhancement in the images of transparent samples using analog image processing in coherent light. The experimental technique is based on adaptive spatial filtering with an acousto-optic tunable filter in a telecentric optical system. We demonstrate processing of microscopic images of unstained and stained histological sections of human thyroid tumor with improved contrast.
We report design and prototype performance of an acousto-optical imaging spectropolarimeter aimed for the 2.5 m telescope at Caucasian Mountain Observatory of Lomonosov Moscow State University. Special geometry of the acousto-optical interaction provides two diffracted beams polarized along the slow and the fast axes of the crystal. The optical system of the spectrometer consisting of plane and elliptical mirrors delivers the images of the object with two orthogonal polarizations to a single CCD matrix, increasing the focal ratio of the telescope.
The report discusses operation principles of a hyperspectral imaging acousto-optic system intended to process optical
images in visible and infrared regions of spectrum. A diffraction grating induced by ultrasound in a birefringent crystal
selects color of transmitted light and also controls polarization of the incident radiation. In the developed system,
arbitrary polarized divergent or convergent optical beam is split at output of the system into two orthogonally polarized
optical beams that are simultaneously scattered into symmetrically situated +1 and -1 diffraction orders. If the incident
beam forms an arbitrary polarized non-monochromatic optical image then as much as two images are observed at output
of the device. Application of two CCD cameras provides registration in real time of the filtered images possessing
orthogonal polarizations. Optical wavelengths selected by the filter are tuned by means of driving ultrasonic frequency.
The transmission coefficient of the acousto-optic device is regulated by magnitude of the driving RF power.
Results of a theoretical analysis on tunable acousto-optic imaging filters using potassium dihydrogen phosphate crystals are presented. It is found that the maximum angular aperture of an imaging filter at the optical wavelength 0.3 µm is equal to 3 deg. The diffraction efficiency in the examined instrument reaches 30% at moderate levels (2 W) of electric driving power. This performance may be obtained in a cell based on the (010) plane of acousto-optic interaction with the cut angle (18.8 deg) evaluated relative to the [100] axis. The device uses a piezoelectric transducer with dimensions 2.7×1.1 cm2 generating a slow shear elastic wave in the crystal. The spectral resolution of the filter is equal to 12 cm−1; the spatial resolution is characterized by 550×800 resolvable pixels in an image processed by means of the filter with linear aperture 0.8×1.1 cm2.
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