Konstantin B. Yushkov

Frequency and angular bandwidth of acousto-optic deflectors with ultrasonic walk-off

In the paper, bandwidth parameters of acousto-optical deflectors (AODs) are analyzed from the point of view of acoustical anisotropy. Equations for bandwidth and central frequency of AOD are derived for arbitrary propagation direction of ultrasound in optically uniaxial crystals. The phenomenon of bandwidth shift due to phase mismatch at the central frequency is studied theoretically and verified experimentally.

Acousto-optical adaptive correction of a chirped laser pulse spectral profile in a Nd-phosphate glass regenerative amplifier

We present results of experimental research carried out with the help of an acousto-optical light dispersive delay line (LDDL) on spectral correction of chirped laser pulses in a Nd-doped phosphate glass regenerative amplifier (RA) characterized by high gain (G 4 10 7 ). The spectral resolution of the LDDL was equal to 1:1 cm 1 at a diffraction efficiency greater than 80%. The use of the LDDL made it possible to implement operating conditions of the RA under which the duration of the output chirped pulse did not shorten in comparison with the duration of the input one, which meant that the width of the spectral emission could be preserved. (Some figures may appear in colour only in the online journal)

Advanced spectral processing of broadband light using acousto-optic devices with arbitrary transmission functions.

In the paper, we developed a dispersive method for transmission function synthesis of collinear and quasi-collinear acousto-optic tunable filters. General theoretical consideration was performed, and modelling was made for broadband and narrowband signals. Experimental results on spectral shaping of femtosecond laser emission were obtained. Binary spectral encoding of broadband emission was demonstrated.

Influence of acoustic anisotropy in paratellurite on quasicollinear acousto-optic interaction.

The influence of paratellurite acoustic anisotropy on the quasicollinear acousto-optic diffraction characteristics was examined. In the presented case the quasicollinear geometry of acousto-optic diffraction is realized with the use of acoustic beam reflection from one of the crystal surfaces. The simulations were based on the solution of acoustic beams propagation problem for anisotropic media previously presented in Balakshy and Mantsevich (2012). It is shown that media inhomogeneity affects the distribution of the acoustic energy in the ultrasound beam and the shape of wave fronts. The acoustic beam structure influences the characteristics of quasicollinear acousto-optic diffraction causing transformation of acousto-optic device transmission function shape and reducing the diffraction efficiency.

Acousto-optical imaging spectropolarimetric devices: new opportunities and developments

We report design and prototype performance of an acousto-optical imaging spectropolarimeter aimed for the 2.5 m telescope at Caucasian Mountain Observatory of Lomonosov Moscow State University. Special geometry of the acousto-optical interaction provides two diffracted beams polarized along the slow and the fast axes of the crystal. The optical system of the spectrometer consisting of plane and elliptical mirrors delivers the images of the object with two orthogonal polarizations to a single CCD matrix, increasing the focal ratio of the telescope.

Compact acousto-optic imaging spectro-polarimeter for mineralogical investigations in the near infrared

Spectral imaging in the near infrared is a promising method for mineralogy analysis, in particular well-suited for airless celestial objects or those with faint atmospheres. Additional information about structure and composition of minerals can be obtained using spectral polarimetry with high spatial resolution. We report design and performance of laboratory prototype for a compact near infrared acousto-optic imaging spectro-polarimeter, which may be implemented for remote or close-up analysis of planetary surfaces. The prototype features telecentric optics, apochromatic design over the bandwidth of 0.8-1.75 µm, and simultaneous imaging of two orthogonal linear polarizations of the same scene with a single FPA detector. When validating the scheme, reflectance spectra of several minerals were measured with the spectral resolution of 100 cm-1 (10 nm passband at 1 µm). When imaging samples, the spatial resolution of 0.6 mm at the target distance of one meter was reached. It corresponds to 100 by 100 diffraction-limited elements resolved at the focal plane array (FPA) for each of the two light polarizations. A similar prototype is also being designed for the spectral range from 1.7 to 3.5 µm. This type of the spectro-polarimeter is considered as a potential reconnaissance and analysis tool for future planetary or moon landers and rovers.

MTF formalism for measurement of spectral resolution of acousto-optical devices with synthesized transmission function

We demonstrate use of the modulation transfer function method in the spectral domain for dynamic measurement of the spectral resolution and modulation contrast of acousto-optic light dispersive delay lines and programmable filters with synthesized transmission. The method is useful for performance characterization of acousto-optic devices for ultrafast pulse shaping and adaptive spectroscopy.

Acousto-optics for femtosecond laser systems

Acousto-optical methods of controlling ultrashort laser pulses are observed. Two-stage configuration of the acousto-optical dispersive delay line is compared to the conventional single-stage configuration. The experiments on synthesis of arbitrary transmission functions, spectrum broadening and pulse compression are performed.

Generation of frequency-tunable pulsed terahertz radiation by a Cr : forsterite laser system with an acoustooptical control of the pulse temporal profile

We report the experimental results on generating pulsed terahertz (THz) radiation, frequency-tunable within the range . The THz pulse generation was implemented using the method of optical rectification of femtosecond laser pulses in the nonlinear organic crystal OH1. The frequency tuning of the THz radiation was provided by adaptive phase – amplitude modulation of the pump pulses from the Cr : forsterite laser system with a radiation wavelength of using the acoustooptical dispersion delay line.

Contrast enhancement in microscopy of human thyroid tumors by means of acousto-optic adaptive spatial filtering.

Abstract. We report a method for edge enhancement in the images of transparent samples using analog image processing in coherent light. The experimental technique is based on adaptive spatial filtering with an acousto-optic tunable filter in a telecentric optical system. We demonstrate processing of microscopic images of unstained and stained histological sections of human thyroid tumor with improved contrast.