Project Title:

Infrared Acousto-Optic Tunable Filter

Aurora Associates
3350 Scott Boulevard, Building 20
Santa Clara, CA 95054

93-1-08     20   0867

Infrared Acousto-Optic Tunable Filter

Abstract:

The acousto-optic tunable filter (AOTF) is an electronically
tunable optical filter that has a large angular aperture while
maintaining high spectral resolution. Combined with the ability
of simultaneous polarization measurement, and the advantage of
small size and weight, the AOTF is well-suited to remote sensing
applications. Current AOTF technology has major performance
deficiencies that limit its potential for infrared spectral
regions. It is the objective of this program to overcome these
deficiencies and significantly advance the AOTF technology for
practical deployment in infrared imaging systems. A risk
reduction effort is proposed in Phase I. The proposed task
includes: (a) Design, build and test a resonant infrared TeO2
AOTF to demonstrate low drive power. (b) Operate and evaluate
TeO2 AOTF at cryogenic temperatures. (c) Investigate material
issues, design concepts and fabrication techniques for wide range
infrared AOTFs beyond 5 micrometers.

The AOTF to be developed in the proposed program can be used in a
variety of commercial applications that include industry process
control (e.g. thin-film monitoring, color separation),
multi-color display, pollution monitoring, optical communication
(wavelength multiplexing, covert communication) and medical
instrumentation (e.g. flow cytometry for cancer diagnosis)
imaging spectropolarimetry, acousto-optic tunable filter
infrared, low power, cryogenic operation, wide tuning range