Abstract: A coherent wideband acousto-optic RF spectrum analyzer for processing an input RF signal, having a CW laser providing a first laser beam, a Bragg cell used in a deflection mode with the laser beam incident thereon and receiving the input RF signal, and in response thereto producing multiple diffracted modulated light beams, a Fourier Transform lens with the modulated light beams incident thereon and in response thereto producing optical signal beams producing a Fourier Transform image in an image plane spaced apart from the Fourier Transform lens, and a photosensitive, optically re-writable medium positioned in the image plane with the optical signal beams incident thereon, the medium having an optical distribution pattern to function as a mask to attenuate a selected portion of the RF spectrum of the optical signal beams and produce an attenuated optical beam.

Abstract: An optical communications system is disclosed. In the optical communications system, a received light source is modulated in accordance with an electrical signal using an acousto-optic modulator. The acousto-optic modulator modulates an amplitude of the received light source in accordance with an amplitude of the electrical signal. Furthermore, an angle of diffraction of a beam produced by the acousto-optic modulator is a function of a frequency of the electrical signal. The optical communications system is equipped with a waveplate that converts a polarization of the diffracted beam to correspond to the polarization of an undiffracted beam. Improved detection and recovery of the electrical signal may be achieved due to the polarization correspondence between the diffracted beam and the undiffracted beam.

Abstract: A coherent wideband acousto-optic RF spectrum analyzer for processing an input RF signal, having a CW laser providing a first laser beam, a Bragg cell used in a deflection mode with the laser beam incident thereon and receiving the input RF signal, and in response thereto producing multiple diffracted modulated light beams, a Fourier Transform lens with the modulated light beams incident thereon and in response thereto producing optical signal beams producing a Fourier Transform image in an image plane spaced apart from the Fourier Transform lens, and a photosensitive, optically re-writable medium positioned in the image plane with the optical signal beams incident thereon, the medium having an optical distribution pattern to function as a mask to attenuate a selected portion of the RF spectrum of the optical signal beams and produce an attenuated optical beam.

Abstract: An optical communications system is disclosed. In the optical communications system, a received light source is modulated in accordance with an electrical signal using an acousto-optic modulator. The acousto-optic modulator modulates an amplitude of the received light source in accordance with an amplitude of the electrical signal. Furthermore, an angle of diffraction of a beam produced by the acousto-optic modulator is a function of a frequency of the electrical signal. The optical communications system is equipped with a waveplate that converts a polarization of the diffracted beam to correspond to the polarization of an undiffracted beam. Improved detection and recovery of the electrical signal may be achieved due to the polarization correspondence between the diffracted beam and the undiffracted beam.