Abstract: An electronic circuit is described which will allow an acoustoptic deflector to be used in multi-frequency mode at high power levels with a minimum amount of intermodulation between each frequency. Reduction of interference between multiple separate signal frequencies is achieved by precise control of the individual phasing of each separate frequency relative to a common reference frequency. The relative phase of each frequency is also controlled so that a low maximum power is achieved for the combined signal that is presented to the acousto-optic deflector without decreasing the overall average power of the multiple signal frequencies. The present invention is useful in systems such as optical data storage on tape or disk, optical printing and imaging, and acousto-optic signal or information processing.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for optically recording information on a media. The present invention comprises an optical tape recording system for recording digital information. In the present invention, a Bragg cell, comprising an acousto-optic crystal and a transducer, is used to effect the scanning of a light beam on the media for purposes of recording or reading digital information. Further, position information is recorded on the media to allow accurate tracking of the position of the media under a read/write head of the present invention. In addition, the present invention discloses means for focussing a radiant energy beam on the media comprising a read/write head coupled with a transducer. The read/write head includes a piezoelectric layer which may effect the focussing of the read/write head under the control of a servo mechanism.