Wide-Angle Polarization-Independent Paratellurite-Based Acousto-Optic Laser Radiation Modulator

Abstract

High-efficiency wide-angle polarization-independent acousto-optic diffraction of laser radiation in a paratellurite-based modulator is experimentally studied. The previously published main theoretical principles are confirmed. We have shown that the angular aperture of the acousto-optic modulator can be ~8° in an ultrasonic frequency range of 135–68 MHz depending on the light wavelength and 2°–5° in the range of 20–30 MHz. A wide-angle acousto-optic depolarized laser radiation modulator has been created that operates at a wavelength λ = 1.06 μm with one output depolarized beam and an efficiency of no less than 90% for input radiation with an angular aperture of 30 mrad.