Applied Nanophotonics, Liquid Crystals and Biomedical Optics

Acoustooptics has been shown to provide a powerful and versatile means of controlling and modulating laser radiation in bulk optic components. We discuss the fiber-optic and fiber-compatible versions of several components such as the phase modulator and Bragg cell. In addition, we present general design rules for such components based on the strengths and weaknesses of the various available materials and illustrate by means of a consolidated account of some previously completed results obtained at the Optoelectronics Research Center at Southampton University. Acousto-optic techniques for the control of optical radiation, well established for bulk-optic components, are shown to be equally valuable in the context of fiber-optic components if carefully applied.