Ultra-fast response 160ns/mm! 1550nm spatial AOM modulation speed technology breakthrough

Ultra-fast response 160ns/mm! 1550nm spatial AOM modulation speed technology breakthrough

Blog Article

In the high-speed race of optical modulation technology, the 1550nm space acousto-optic modulator (AOM) has achieved a major breakthrough in modulation speed with an ultrafast optical pulse rise time of 160ns/mm, injecting new impetus into fields such as lidar and material processing. The following is an in-depth analysis of the value and application potential of this technological breakthrough.

 

The technical foundation for the breakthrough of modulation speed

The ultrafast response of the 1550nm space AOM stems from the collaborative optimization of the acousto-optic medium and structure. High acousto-optic optimal value media such as tellurium oxide are selected. They have a fast sound velocity and high acousto-optic interaction efficiency, and can respond quickly to ultrasonic waves excited by radio frequency signals. Optimize the design of piezoelectric transducers to increase the electro-acoustic conversion rate and reduce signal delay; The all-metal casing packaging and conductive cooling technology ensure the thermal stability of the device under high-frequency modulation and prevent temperature rise from affecting the response speed. These technological innovations have enabled the rise time of AOM optical pulses to be as low as 160ns/mm, laying the foundation for high-speed modulation.

 

The performance value of modulation speed breakthrough

(1) High-speed scanning of lidar

In lidar applications, the ultrafast modulation speed of the 1550nm space AOM enables high-frequency scanning of laser beams. The traditional AOM responds slowly, resulting in a low scanning frame rate and making it difficult to capture the details of fast-moving objects. The AOM with a rise time of 160ns/mm can complete the modulation of laser frequency and direction in a short time and generate a high refresh rate point cloud image. In the autonomous driving scenario, a scanning frequency of over 100,000 times per second enables vehicles to perceive the surrounding environment in real time, accurately identify pedestrians and obstacles, and provide reliable guarantees for safe driving. In topographic mapping, high-frequency scanning can quickly construct high-precision three-dimensional topographic models, enhancing the efficiency and accuracy of mapping.

(2) Fine control of material processing

In the field of material processing, ultrafast modulation speed facilitates the precise control of laser energy. In laser cutting and welding, AOM can quickly switch between the "on - off" states of the laser, generate ultrashort pulse sequences, and achieve micro-nano level processing of materials. For the cutting of brittle materials (such as glass), ultrashort pulses can reduce the heat-affected zone and prevent material fragmentation. In the welding of precision electronic components, precise control of laser energy output can achieve a solder joint diameter of less than 50μm, ensuring the reliability of electronic components. Meanwhile, high-frequency modulation significantly enhances processing efficiency, meeting the demands of large-scale industrial production.

(3) High-speed coding in optical communication

In optical communication signal processing, 1550nm is a commonly used communication wavelength. The ultrafast modulation speed of space AOM can achieve high-speed optical signal encoding. By rapidly modulating the laser frequency and intensity, the data information is loaded onto the optical copyright to enhance the communication bandwidth and transmission rate. In the ultra-high-speed optical transmission system, it can support data transmission of over 100Gbps, providing technical support for high-speed interconnection between big data centers and 5G base stations. In quantum communication, high-frequency modulation can achieve rapid encoding and decoding of quantum states, ensuring the security and efficiency of quantum key distribution.

 

The application advantages of multi-performance collaboration

The advantages of 1550nm space AOM are not limited to modulation speed. Its diffraction efficiency ≥80%, extinction ratio > 1000:1, and reliable high-temperature stability, among other characteristics, work in synergy with the ultrafast modulation speed. High diffraction efficiency ensures the effective utilization of laser energy, and high-energy laser pulses can be output even with high-frequency modulation. The high extinction ratio makes the "on - off" state distinct and enhances the signal contrast. High-temperature stability ensures continuous and stable operation in harsh industrial environments. These performance coordinations enable AOM to perform exceptionally well in complex application scenarios, such as laser quality inspection on high-temperature industrial production lines. It can not only modulate the laser at high speed to scan the product surface but also stably output high-energy, high-contrast laser to accurately identify minute defects.

 

The future outlook of technological breakthroughs

With the development of optoelectronic technology, the modulation speed of 1550nm space AOM is expected to be further increased, moving towards 100ns/mm or even lower. In the future, in cutting-edge fields such as quantum optics experiments and ultrafast laser science, AOM with ultrafast modulation speeds can assist researchers in exploring ultrafast processes of the interaction between light and matter, such as attosecond light pulse regulation and rapid manipulation of quantum states. In the field of the integration of artificial intelligence and optical computing, high-speed optical modulation (AOM) can serve as a core component of optical computing chips, enabling high-speed parallel processing of data and promoting breakthroughs in computing capabilities. Meanwhile, the miniaturization and integration development of AOM will make it more suitable for portable devices and chip-level optical systems, and expand the application boundaries.

 

The breakthrough in the modulation speed technology of 1550nm space AOM is an important milestone in the field of optical modulation. From principle innovation to multi-field application, from performance synergy to future expansion, it is driving the profound transformation of optoelectronic technology in industries such as industry, communication, and scientific research at the "acceleration" of high-speed modulation, empowering the construction of more efficient and intelligent optical information systems.

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