Acousto-Optic Devices Based on Multibeam Diffraction

The multibeam acousto-optical Bragg diffraction of laser radiation is considered. This is splitting of an initial beam into several independently controlled beams (channels) without substantial light-power losses. Practically significant relationships that determine the conditions for implementing the multibeam diffraction and its main parameters have been obtained. It is shown that the necessary condition is the form of control radio signal that is close to a frequency (phase) modulated signal. Experimental studies were conducted on a polarization-insensitive acousto-optic deflector based on a paratellurite crystal. Practical applications of the multibeam diffraction are shown: laser image deposition, multichannel transmission (switching) of optical information, and the formation of the laser-beam profile.