FAQ AO Devices
Acousto-optics is a branch of physics that deals with the interaction between acoustic waves and light waves inside within a specific medium. A RF signal is applied to that medium via a piezoelectric transducer, creating a diffraction grating. When light crosses that grating, it undergoes several effects and with acousto optics, one can therefore perform the followings, namely:
Acousto-optics is a branch of physics that deals with the interaction between acoustic waves and light waves inside within a specific medium. A RF signal is applied to that medium via a piezoelectric transducer, creating a diffraction grating. When light crosses that grating, it undergoes several effects and with acousto optics, one can therefore perform the followings, namely:
- Amplitude modulation -AOM
- Beam deflection – AOD
- Frequency shifting – AOFS
- Wavelength filtering – AOTF
Even though the AO device is switched OFF, there is still a residual light in the diffracted order. This is normal and it not only depends on the AO device itself but also the associated RF driver.
In our commitment to reduce our ecological footprint, AA does not provide any paper manuals nor USB drives. Instead, user must create an account here to download all the necessary materials to operate the AO device.
FAQ RF Products
The OEM versions RF drivers are compact and generally intended to be integrated into larger systems. The heat exchange is done by contact cooling through the baseplate and a power supply is required. The Laboratory versions RF drivers are rack mounted, integrating the OEM versions with power supply, amplifiers (where applicable), fan cooling and front panel controls.
See more (PDF)The OEM versions for the MODAxx are equipped with the analog and the TTL input by default. There is an AND function between the two inputs and hence both need to be fed for the RF driver to operate. If only one input is required, we suggest to have the ‘Single AM input’ option which consist of deactivating either the ANALOG input or the TTL input.
Yes, even though the modulation input is at a higher impedance, the 50 Ohms function generator remains compatible with your RF driver. In fact, the higher impedance inputs require less current and hence the RF driver will be usable with most signal generators including PC interface cards.
The VCO is suitable for raster scan applications thanks to its analog driving of the frequency between 0 and 10V. Linearity is not perfect (typical +/-10%) and it is subject to thermal drift (typ +/-100KHz/°C). Switching time is 1μs minimum. AM control is done thanks to an analog signal 0-5V/50Ohms. This is a low-cost solution compared with DDS.
The DDS offers high frequency accuracy and stability and extremely fast switching times less than 100ns. They will be preferred to VCOs when high stability and accuracy is necessary. They can be modulated (amplitude) from an analog (0-5V/50Ohms) or a digital (8 bits) external signal. The frequency is externally controlled by a digital signal (15 to 31 bits depending on requested resolution).
The OEM versions of both VCO and DDSPA delivers only 0 dBm and must be completed with an amplifier.
In our commitment to reducing our ecological footprint, AA does not provide any paper manuals nor USB drives. Instead, user must create an account here to download all the necessary materials to operate the RF device.