Patent ID: 7826130
Filing Date: 2010-11-02
Classification: G02F

Abstract:
1. Apparatus for optical splitting and modulation of monochromatic coherent electromagnetic radiation, comprising: a beam source of a beam of said radiation, an acousto-optic element arranged downstream of the beam source configured to split the beam produced by said beam source into a plurality of partial beams, an acousto-optic modulator arranged downstream of said acousto-optic element, said partial beams being supplied to said acousto-optic modulator for modulation, a first high frequency signal generator producing first high frequency electrical signals applied to said acousto-optic element for splitting said beam respectively into said plurality of partial beams, a phase modulation circuit between the first high frequency signal generator and the acousto-optic element transferring said first high frequency electrical signals to said acousto-optic element, the phase modulation circuit being configured to effect shifting respective phases of said first high frequency electrical signals at least one of independently or coupled together such that fluctuations of amplitudes of the individual partial beams are minimized; and said acousto-optic modulator being controllable with second high frequency electrical signals which are not said first high frequency electrical signals.