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Product Portfolio
AMS Technologies provides a broad selection of acousto-optic (AO) devices like modulators, q-switches, frequency shifters and mode lockers, that allows the user to address several specific laser applications.
Our AO modulators are optimized for low scatter and high laser damage threshold. Our series of pulse pickers and cavity dumpers are high-speed acousto-optic modulators that can separate and divert a single laser pulse within a pulse train to a new optical path. Both require a very fast rise time with a low duty cycle.
Acousto-optic multi-channel modulators (AOMC) available from AMS Technologies allow multiple beams to be modulated or deflected independently by integrating an array of transducers with a single acousto-optic crystal.
Fiber-coupled AO modulators are available with single mode (SM) and polarization maintaining (PM) fibers, designed for pulsed fiber laser/amplifier system applications and allowing direct control of the timing, intensity and temporal shape of the fiber laser’s output.
AMS Technologies’ product offering also includes low insertion loss and highly efficient acousto-optic Q-switches, suitable for polarized or unpolarized lasers at near infrared (NIR) wavelengths and capable of handling very high peak power.
Optimized for the needs of applications like interferometry and with the ability to achieve high extinction ratio between modes, our series of acousto-optic frequency shifters (AOFS) causes the input light to experience a frequency shift equal to the RF drive frequency.
The series of acousto-optic mode lockers for Nd:YAG, Nd:YLF, Ti:Sapphire and Argon Ion lasers can modulate at up to 200 MHz, yielding near-theoretical mode locked laser pulse widths. Antireflection (AR) coated and Brewster angle options are available.
For driving and controlling our acousto-optic devices, we carry a series of dedicated RF drivers. These systems output an RF signal that is used to generate the acoustic wave within the crystal of an acousto-optic device. The frequency and intensity of this RF signal will determine how much an optical beam is modulated, deflected or tuned. Within the series, a wide variety of stable high-frequency drivers with analog and digital modulation capability is available, optimized by application.
Custom Modulators, Q-switches or Pockels Cells
If you can’t find a standard modulator, q-switch or pockels cell that exactly meets your specific performance, please get in touch with the AMS Technologies photonics experts to discuss your customized solution, designed and manufactured to your requirements.
Related Products
Our modulators, q-switches and pockels cells can be used with our broad portfolio of lasers and light sources ranging from laser diodes, modules and systems to DPSS lasers, diode lasers, fiber lasers and gas lasers to OPOs, tunable lasers and other laser and light sources.
We carry a broad complementary range of precision optics such as optical scanners and deflectors, optical beamsplitters, polarization optics, optical prisms, optical mirrors, optical filters, optical lenses or etalons.
Further additional complementary products are optical mounts, rotary and translation stages, optical tables, breadboards and platforms as well as an extensive portfolio of optical test and measurement equipment.
Definition
Acousto-optic (AO) devices create an optical grating in a crystal by means of acoustic waves and can thus be used to change direction, frequency and intensity of a laser beam. Acousto-optic devices are driven by RF signals – as the power of the applied RF signal is varied, the amount of diffracted light varies proportionally. The AO products available from AMS Technologies feature very high switching speed and excellent diffractive efficiency and thus maintain laser performance.
An acousto-optic modulator (AOM) can be used to slowly or rapidly modulate the intensity of a laser beam. This modulation can be done at rates that far exceed mechanical shutters, even up to several tens of MHz.Fiber-coupled devices are also available.
A variation of an acousto-optic modulator is specifically designed for use as a Q-switch inside a laser cavity, generating high-intensity, pulsed light by actively controlling the Q-factor (loss) of the cavity. The frequency of laser light can be shifted in the RF range through the use of an acousto-optic frequency shifter (AOFS).
Acousto-optic mode lockers (AOML) modulate the loss within a laser cavity at its resonant frequency, effectively “locking” the phase of the longitudinal modes to generate very narrow laser pulses of high intensity.
Conversely, an AO tunable filter can be used for frequency (wavelength) selection, or in some cases even a selection of multiple discrete frequencies. Lastly, scanning of a laser beam over a range of angles or precise steering tasks can be accomplished via the use of an AO deflector.
Alternative Terms: Acousto-optic Device; AO Device; Acousto-optic Modulator; Acousto-optic Frequency Shifter; Acousto-optic Mode Locker