Review of acousto-optic spectral systems and applications

Abstract

Acousto-optic devices represented by acousto-optic tunable filters (AOTFs), have the advantages of wide wavelength range from the ultraviolet to the long-wave infrared and fast wavelength switching speed. Nowadays, acousto-optic spectral systems have become very important scientific instruments in laboratory. There are many factors to be considered when we choose different solutions for acousto-optic spectral systems, but there is no comprehensive analysis and summary of them. This paper explains the working principle of the acousto-optic devices and summarizes the most common optical schemes for acousto-optic spectral systems. We also analyzed their characteristics of application conditions. In addition, specific applications of acousto-optic spectral systems in some common fields are presented.

Angular-Spectral Characteristics of Acousto-Optic Tunable Filters Based on Mercurous Halide Crystals

“…Different crystals have been used under PTP to obtain a large monochromatic angular aperture, and the significant role of crystal birefringence has been highlighted [ 19 ]. In the common optical schemes for acousto-optic spectral systems summarized in prior work [ 30 ], the AOTF is the key factor that determines the overall light throughput of the system. In contrast to these studies, this article focuses on the angular-spectral characteristics of AOTFs that can be used to enhance the system’s optical throughput.…”