Free Space Acousto-Optic Modulators/Shifter UV

SKU: AOMS

The AOMS series fiberoptic acousto-optic modulators enable high-speed optical intensity modulation optimized for UV wavelengths. Built with high-purity quartz, they feature low insertion loss, a high UV damage threshold, and fast switching. When driven at the 111 MHz resonance frequency, the device satisfies the Bragg diffraction condition, deflecting light at a specific angle. Intensity is controlled by varying the RF drive amplitude (0–5 V via SMA input). The modulator inherently introduces a positive frequency shift, with negative shift versions available upon request. It operates over a narrow wavelength range, with the output angle dependent on the input wavelength. A matching driver is available.
The AOMS rise/fall time is directly related to the optical beam diameter, following the relation Rise Time ≈ D / v, where D is the laser beam diameter in the acoustic propagation direction and v is the acoustic velocity in the AOM crystal. Therefore, reducing the beam size increases modulation speed and bandwidth.
The acousto-optic modulator utilizes a shear-mode interaction geometry, which provides efficient diffraction for both random and linearly polarized input light. The AOM design is in shear mode, well-suited for both random polarization and polarized.