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Infrared Acousto-Optic Tunable Filter (AOTF)

Aurora Associates, Inc.

Santa Clara, CA 
 

Broadband low power infrared AOTF operated at cryogenic temperatures provides a practical, rugged spectral agile camera over wide range in the infrared (1 to 5 microns).

• First demonstration of low power 

(<1 watt) IR AOTF operated at cryogenic temperatures.
• Demonstration of broadband IR (BBIR) AOTF over multiple-octave tuning range.
• Developed new AOTF configurations applicable to wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) in fiber optic communication network.

• Developed a series of AOTF-based products for spectrometry applications:  Broadband Infrared (BBIR) Tunable Camera Filter (TCF), Portable NIR Spectrometer, and Portable Optical Spectra Analyzer (POSA)
• Awarded a $750K R&D contract from the U.S. Army Research Office to extend the AOTF technology to telecommunication applications

• The rugged broadband infrared AOTF will be applicable to a spectral imager on a Discovery or post-Mars 2001 orbiter.
• The low power cryogenic AOTF extends operation to 5mm PH₃ window for planet observation.
• The patentable results of the new AOTF configuration are applicable to wavelength division multiplexing cross-connects in telecommunication networks

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