TEMPERATURE COMPENSATION FOR ACOUSTO-OPTC DEVICES
First Claim
1. A method of maintaining phase-matching criteria of an acousto-optic device during temperature variations, the method comprising:
- a) measuring a temperature of the acousto-optic device;
b) generating a control signal in response to the measured temperature; and
c) changing a frequency of a signal applied to an acoustic wave transducer positioned in the acousto-optic device in response to the control signal, the frequency of the signal being chosen to maintain the phase-matching criteria of the acousto-optic device.
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Abstract
Methods and apparatus for compensating for temperature variations in acousto-optic devices are described. An acousto-optic tunable device according to the invention features an acousto-optic substrate having an acoustic wave transducer positioned on the acousto-optic substrate. A temperature sensor is positioned in thermal communication with the acousto-optic substrate. The temperature sensor generates an electrical signal that is related to a temperature of the acousto-optic substrate. A processor generates a control signal in response to the electrical signal generated by the temperature sensor. An oscillator receives the control signal and a frequency of the oscillator is changed in response to the control signal in order to maintain phase-matching criteria of the acousto-optic tunable device as the temperature of the acousto-optic substrate changes.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method of maintaining phase-matching criteria of an acousto-optic device during temperature variations, the method comprising:
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a) measuring a temperature of the acousto-optic device;
b) generating a control signal in response to the measured temperature; and
c) changing a frequency of a signal applied to an acoustic wave transducer positioned in the acousto-optic device in response to the control signal, the frequency of the signal being chosen to maintain the phase-matching criteria of the acousto-optic device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An acousto-optic tunable device comprising:
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a) an acousto-optic substrate;
b) an acoustic wave transducer positioned on the acousto-optic substrate;
c) a temperature sensor that is positioned in thermal communication with the acousto-optic substrate, the temperature sensor generating an electrical signal at an output that is related to a temperature of the acousto-optic substrate;
d) a processor having an input that is electrically coupled to the output of the temperature sensor, the processor generating a control signal at an output in response to the electrical signal generated by the temperature sensor; and
e) an oscillator having a control input that is electrically coupled to the output of the processor and having an output that is electrically coupled to the acoustic wave transducer, a frequency of the oscillator being changed in response to the control signal in order to maintain phase-matching criteria of the acousto-optic tunable device as the temperature of the acousto-optic substrate changes. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A device for maintaining phase-matching criteria in an acousto-optic device during temperature variations, the device comprising:
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a) means for measuring a temperature of the acousto-optic device;
b) means for generating a control signal in response to the measured temperature; and
c) means for changing the frequency of a signal applied to an acoustic wave transducer positioned in the acousto-optic device in response to the control signal, the frequency of the signal being chosen to maintain the phase-matching criteria of the acousto-optic device.
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Specification