Acousto-optic tapped delay-line filter

Abstract

An acousto-optic tapped delay-line finite-impulse-response filter that operates at a system intermediate frequency without requiring a reference optical beam is introduced. Principles of operation are theoretically derived and used to model the system frequency response and multiple-tap cross-talk performance. As an element of this derivation, a focused optical illumination of a diverging acoustic wave is analyzed. Experimental results are also provided for a multichannel acousto-optic tapped delay line operational over a 10-MHz bandwidth at an 80-MHz intermediate frequency.