Acousto-optic tunable filter: A new generation monochromator and more

The acousto-optic tunable filter is a compact, all solid state electronic monochromator. It is based on the acousto-optic interaction in an anisotropic crystal. Compared to conventional grating monochromtors, the AOTF has no moving parts, wider spectral tuning range (from UV though visible and near-IR to IR), higher throughput, higher resolution (few angstroms), faster scanning speed (ys) and imaging capability. These features make it possible to use the filter to develop novel instruments which are not possible otherwise. The instrumentation development and unique advantages of such AOTF based instruments including a multidimensional fluorimeter, detectors for HPLC and flow injection analysis, and a multispectral imaging instrument are described.