In my lab I have an old AOM from Isle Optics Ltd, model TS100. I don't know what kind of signals it requires, and looking around for similar models by other companies, I guessed I needed a 10-to-200MHz function generator to provide the correct acoustic wave frequency.
Connecting the instrument with the generator though didn't give any results (for any amplitude between 1mV to 1.5V).
Has anyone worked with this AOM model (or maybe with its driver, SD100-A)?
Hello Michele,
I don''t work with acousto-optics but some of my colleagues do. From my conversation with them it looks like the RF signal power going in needs to be significantly higher. 1.5Volts into a 50 ohm load gives only 45mW of power, but I think you need a drive power in the order of a Watt.
Are you working with Exeter University - they asked a similar question recently?
Hi Mark,
Yes, I'm working at the University of Exeter, but I wasn't aware of similar queries on this website. If you are referring to the mail exchange with Graham, though, it was me.
He suggested me to control the driver using DC voltages on the "Mod in" and "F-control" inputs (5Vdc and 1Vdc, respectively).
I've tried a range of voltages close to the ones suggested, and it seems that the driver should take in more than 5Vdc on the Mod in input to provide a visible 1st order. I stopped at 10 V given the power supply I had, but it seems I can still go up.
The f-control voltage only changed the distance between 0th and 1st order, which is reasonable if it provides control over the frequency of the acoustic wave, and it worked fine in the 1-3Vdc range used.
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