Information limitations in acousto-optical tunable filters

Acousto-optic tunable filters (AOTF) transmit and process information which modulates wavelength of the light passed through the device. AOTF information possibilities can be described by specific parameters such as information transmission capability. The reasons of this parameter limitations have been analyzed. Among the factors influencing the AOTF transmission capability, such factors as size and form of initial light source as well as features of the medium modulaing the light beam by wavelength, can be considered very important. Theoretical considerations clarifying the sources of information losses in AOTF, have been stated. A set of experiments has been performed in which the dependences of AOTF information characteristics on the system configuration have been measured. The studied devices were designed with tellurium dioxide single crystals in the configuration providing the best recognition of adjacent wavelengths. The possibilities of AOTF information optimization have been discussed.© (2000) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.