A novel acousto-optic tunable filter for use in hyperspectral imaging systems

Abstract

ABSTRACT The design and performance characteristics of a novel Acousto Optic Tunable Filter (AOTF) are presented. Particular attention has been paid to the reduction of optical side lobes, maximising the light throughput and achieving efficient wideband RF matching of a device for use in hyperspectral imaging systems. Conventional AOTFs are known to yield an optical pass band with side lobes at unacceptable levels of ~-10dB relative to the transmission peak. It is known that shaping the acoustic beam (“apodisation”) can suppress the side lobe transmission of the AOTF and improve its imaging capabilities. Results of a novel electrode apodisation pattern are presented, reducing sidelobes to ~-25dB. This produces an AOTF which is capable of being placed in a diffraction limited optical system and introduces negligible amounts of image degradation. The large transducer area (associated w ith the large optical aperture) and acou stic impedance mismatch between the AO substrate (TeO 2 ) and transducer (LiNbO