Acousto-optic tunable filter for imaging application with high performance in the IR region

S. Valle; J. Ward; C. Pannell; N. P. Johnson

doi:10.1117/12.2077610

16 March 2015 Acousto-optic tunable filter for imaging application with high performance in the IR region

S. Valle, J. Ward, C. Pannell, N. P. Johnson

Proceedings Volume 9359, Optical Components and Materials XII; 93590E (2015) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2077610
Event: SPIE OPTO, 2015, San Francisco, California, United States

Abstract

Acousto-Optic Tunable Filters with large acceptance angle (parallel tangent configuration) are the component of choice for imaging application in visible and NIR region wavelength. AOTF in the wavelength range above 2μm could be impractical due to the λ² and interaction length dependencies on acoustic field intensity to achieve peak diffraction efficiency. A potential solution to reduce the RF power requirement for full diffraction efficiency is to realize a resonant acoustic cavity, and "recycle" the phonons. This configuration could give a theoretical advantage factor between 4 and 10. A prototype device with an operational wavelength range between 1μm and 2μm has been designed and tested and an optimized design to operate between 2μm - 4μm has been prepared and under construction. Due to the presence of standing wave, when the device is not in resonance a feedback signal from the device is affecting the electrical matching and the power delivered to the device is mostly reflected back (VSWR > 25), therefore a special RF driver is required in order to maintain in resonance the device. The resonance frequencies are also affected by the temperature of the device, thus a temperature control mechanism with high accuracy is required. We present the preliminary results of the first prototype, which are in good agreement with the mathematical model and an advantage factor of about 4 has been measured. Further investigation are planned in order to improve the device performance and develop the RF driver for the resonant configuration.

Citation Download Citation

S. Valle, J. Ward, C. Pannell, and N. P. Johnson "Acousto-optic tunable filter for imaging application with high performance in the IR region", Proc. SPIE 9359, Optical Components and Materials XII, 93590E (16 March 2015); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2077610

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available