The acousto-optically tuned devices are becoming quite popular in dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) applications due to low insertion loss, less cross talk and freedom from the grating wavelength drift due to thermal variations. Acousto-optic cell diffracts the optical beam depending on the wavelengths and acoustic frequency. This property is used to exploit acousto-optic cell array (AOCA) for multiplex/demultiplex (MUX/DEMUX) and cross-connect applications in DWDM in optical communication. Acousto-optic diffraction grating is preferred over other systems as the directions of the deflected light beams can be controlled by changing the frequency of the drive signal and the light intensity of the beams can be adjusted by changing the power of the drive signal. This paper presents the analysis and performance of three-dimensional acousto-optic cell array system based on generalized equations. Numerical results have been obtained for optical wavelengths vs deflection angles, incident angles vs deflection angles in different directions for several stages. The wavelengths under consideration range between 1500-1600 nm and the effects of acoustic wave velocity variations have also been considered.

Date Published: 23 September 2010
PDF: 9 pages
Proc. SPIE 7750, Photonics North 2010, 77501T (23 September 2010); doi: 10.1117/12.872508

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 7750:
Photonics North 2010