Applied Nanophotonics, Liquid Crystals and Biomedical Optics

An acousto-optic modulator comprises a medium 2 having a non-homogeneous refractive index for guiding a light beam 4 inputted thereto along a first predetermined path and at least one switch able means for generating a respective acoustic beam 5 along a respective further predetermined path intersecting said first predetermined path for diffracting part of the light beam being guided along said first predetermined path.