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GoPhotonics features a wide range of Acousto-optic Deflectors (AODs) designed for high-speed, non-mechanical laser beam steering and positioning. By varying the frequency of an RF-driven acoustic wave, these devices enable rapid and precise control of laser beam direction, making them valuable in applications such as laser scanning, microscopy, photolithography, LiDAR, optical communications, material processing, and quantum technologies.
1064 nm Acousto-optic Deflector for High-Speed Laser Beam Control
The Acousto-optic Deflector AOD 1064nm from BeamQ Lasers is designed for laser systems operating at 1064 nm. Using a TeO2 crystal, it has a center frequency of 45 MHz, a diffraction efficiency greater than 60%, and a 3 dB bandwidth exceeding 30 MHz. The device provides a dynamic deflection angle of 2.5° while maintaining optical transmission above 90%, enabling efficient and rapid beam steering.
The AOD offers non-mechanical beam positioning and optical frequency shifting capabilities, making it suitable for applications requiring fast and precise laser control. It is ideal for laser recording systems, acousto-optic spectrum analyzers, optical correlators, high-speed laser recorders, and optical information storage applications.
Infrared Acousto-Optic Deflector for CO2 Laser Beam Steering
The AGD-406B1 from IntraAction Corp. is an infrared acousto-optic deflector designed for 10.6 µm CO2 laser systems. Built using a single-crystal germanium interaction medium, it features a 40 MHz center RF frequency, 20 MHz deflection bandwidth, and 80% diffraction efficiency. The deflector provides an angular deflection of 38.5 mrad with a 77 mrad beam separation angle, enabling precise and rapid beam positioning without mechanical movement.
The device has a 6 mm active aperture, supports 30 W RF drive power, and offers a flat optical scan response across its operating bandwidth. With excellent temperature stability, high optical power handling capability, and optical frequency shifting functionality, the AGD-406B1 is ideal for laser beam deflection, optical frequency shifting, intensity modulation, and infrared laser processing applications.
UV Acousto-Optic Beam Deflector for Optical Scanning and Photolithography
The AOBD 4170 from Sintec Optronics is a quartz crystal acousto-optic deflector designed for ultraviolet laser systems operating at 355 nm. It has a center frequency of 170 MHz, an 80 MHz RF bandwidth, and an acoustic velocity of 5.744 mm/µs. The device features an active aperture of 7 mm x 20 mm and provides a minimum diffraction efficiency of 80%, enabling efficient beam steering for high-precision optical applications.
This acousto-optic deflector has an insertion loss of 1%, a scan angle of 4.9 mrad, and a voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR) of 2:1. It features input and output polarizations oriented 90 degrees to the mounting plane and requires 20 W of RF power for operation. With a peak valley value of 0.1 at 633 nm, the AOBD 4170 is ideal for laser tweezers, optical scanning, optical inspection, digital imaging, PCB via-hole drilling, and photolithography applications.
UV Acousto-Optic Deflector for Laser Beam Steering and Quantum Technologies
The AODF 4170 from G&H is an acousto-optic deflector engineered for beam steering applications at 355 nm. It operates over a frequency range of 130 MHz to 210 MHz with a center frequency of 170 MHz and an RF bandwidth of 80 MHz. Based on a crystal quartz acousto-optic medium with a longitudinal acoustic mode, the device provides 80% diffraction efficiency and a 4.9 mrad scan angle for accurate beam positioning.
The deflector features a 7 mm x 20 mm active aperture, an insertion loss of 1%, and a VSWR of 2:1. It requires 20 W RF power and has an acoustic velocity of 5.744 mm/µs. Input and output polarizations are oriented 90 degrees to the mounting plane, while a peak valley specification of 0.1 at 633 nm helps ensure stable optical performance. The AODF 4170 is suitable for laser beam steering in targeting and tracking systems, rangefinding and LiDAR, laser-based semiconductor manufacturing, laser scanning microscopes, laser micromachining, lithography, quantum computing, and precision laboratory beam control applications.
UV Acousto-Optic Deflector for Material Processing and Micromachining
The D1340-AQ120-5 from ISOMET is an acousto-optic deflector optimized for 355 nm ultraviolet lasers. It operates at a center frequency of 120 MHz with an RF bandwidth of 40 MHz, delivering greater than 85% diffraction efficiency and an active aperture of 5 mm. The deflector features a Bragg angle of 3.7 mrad, separation angle of 7.5 mrad, and a 2 mrad scan angle for precise beam steering and positioning.
Designed for demanding industrial laser applications, the D1340-AQ120-5 has an optical insertion loss below 3%, a DC contrast ratio exceeding 2500:1, and an RF drive power requirement of 12 W. It includes water cooling at 2 L/minute and is housed in a package measuring 95 mm x 39.2 mm x 46.2 mm. This AOD is ideal for material processing, drilling, surface texturing, and micromachining applications.
Acousto-optic deflectors continue to play an important role in advanced photonics systems by providing fast, programmable, and highly accurate beam steering without moving parts. From laser micromachining and semiconductor manufacturing to LiDAR, photolithography, optical scanning, and quantum technologies, modern AODs deliver the speed, precision, and reliability required for next-generation optical applications.
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