Acoustic-optic filters

Optical filters are an important building block in the next generation of optical communication systems. Optical networks seem to be headed towards densely packed wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM) systems. These WDM systems require optical filters for the purpose of wavelength selection and switching. Numerous optical filters have been proposed including acousto-optical filters, electro-optical filters, and Fabry-Perots. Acoustically tunable optical filters (ATOFs) are considered promising. ATOFs are not only an important WDM device; they have great potential in many other applications such as optical spectroscopy. The acousto-optic tunable filter has a unique combination of desirable properties. These properties make it a potentially important building block.<
>