Design of 2D acousto-optic deflectors

The paper presents the analysis of applications and performance characteristics of one-crystal 2D acousto-optic deflectors used for optical signal switching in communication systems. It compares performance and prospects for acousto-optic deflectors made of different material and of different layouts. It shows that 2D light deflection requires higher uniformity of frequency responses of each acoustic channel. Prospects for a 2D deflector built using 'strong' elastic anisotropy in some crystals are estimated. In this case, acoustic beams can coincide, their wave normals being approximately orthogonal. It is shown that crystals with high acoustic velocities and moderate elastic anisotropy (like GaAs) look more promising than traditional for acousto-optics TeO2 in tasks requiring high operation speed (low switching time).