Pulse modulation and cavity dumping of lasers using acoustic-optic refraction

We report a new scheme employing the acousto-optic refraction effect to control laser output. A pulsed acoustic strain produces a linear index gradient, which intersects and deflects the laser beam. The advantage of this method over Bragg diffraction is the simple electronics required to generate the power needed for high deflection efficiency. The transducer on the acousto-optic cell is initially charged to a given voltage and is then discharged suddenly with avalanche transistors. An intense pulsed strain consisting of a few cycles with a frequency equal to the resonant frequency of the transducer then propagates into the cell.