A new device which combines both acousto-optic and electro-optic effects in one integrated manner using surface acoustic wave technology has been implemented and offers unique advantages. In particular, this permits an additional input port for information which leads to compact implementation and simplified architecture in optical signal processing applications. The objective of this letter is to present some theoretical and experimental results in the Raman–Nath regime. These are found to agree over the range of investigation.
The diffraction of light through the acoustooptic (AO) and electrooptic (EO) effects can be utilized to perform real-time signal processing functions including convolution, correlation, matched filtering, spectrum analysis, and matrix processing. When the medium used for AO interaction is piezoelectric, both effects can exist simultaneously and this acoustoelectrooptic (AEO) effect may offer increased capabilities for optical signal processing and computation. Both bulk wave and SAW devices have been fabricated. An AEO coupled mode theory has been investigated. Refractive-index changes caused by the simultaneous presence of acoustooptic and electrooptic signals lead to coupled wave equations for the various orders of diffracted light. Raman-Nath and Bragg diffraction solutions result from appropriate assumptions. The presence of both signals gives rise to additional effects including a new Bragg condition. The implications of some of these effects and the results of experiments are discussed.
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