A branch of optics dealing with the diffraction of laser light by acoustic waves. When a radio-frequency signal drives a piezoelectric transducer attached to a crystal, it creates a sound wave that acts as a moving phase grating. This effect is harnessed to build devices that rapidly deflect beams, shift optical frequencies, or modulate laser power without moving parts.
We're using acoustooptics to actively Q-switch the cavity at 50 kilohertz.
Related terms
Q-switching
Producing short, intense laser pulses by holding cavity losses high while energy builds up, then suddenly dropping them.
RF
Radio frequency, the electronic signal band used to drive acousto-optic and electro-optic modulators.
Mode locking
Fixing the phases of many longitudinal modes so they add up into a train of ultrashort pulses.