Equal-efficiency diffraction of unpolarized wideband light with acousto-optic filters

Abstract

We present the diffraction of unpolarized light over a broad wavelength range using paratellurite Acousto-Optic Tuneable Filters. The diffraction of unpolarized light usually relies on a specific operating point that is sensitive to the wavelength and angle of incidence, resulting in an operating ability over a narrow bandwidth. We present a detuning strategy to eliminate the angular dependence and obtain equal diffraction efficiency for both the linear polarization states over a broad bandwidth. We explain how to find the optimum operating frequency and present its dependency as a function of the wavelength. With the quasi-phase matching condition presented, the diffraction of unpolarized light over the 400 nm to700 nm band is possible with an efficiency of over 80%.

KEYWORDS:

• Acousto-optic devices
• wavelength filtering devices
• birefringence
• polarization-selective devices

Subject classification codes:

• 230.1040
• 230.7408
• 260.1440
• 130.5440

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by National Research Agency, ANR (grant ANR-17-CE04-0008 SPIT-FIRE).