Acousto-optics
An acousto-optical modulator element and a high frequency driver are the basic components of the instruments summarized under this generic term. The area of application, however, varies depending on the instrument:
The APE frequency shifter DFD allows for a defined shift of the laser frequency of narrow-band laser systems as used
in e.g. experiments for Bose-Einstein condensates as part of the atom trap.
AOM:
The acousto-optical modulator modifies the intensity of the laser beam. For example, it is used as an acousto-optical chopper for Lock-In detection systems. Its advantage over mechanical choppers is a higher modulation frequency. Besides, it doesn’t generate mechanical vibration which could have negative effects on the signal detection as it doesn’t contain flexible parts. In analog operation the laser intensities can be adjusted at will and time modulated.