Acousto-optically switched optical delay lines

High speed microsecond domain switching optical delay lines are introduced for time-delay based photonic signal processing applications such as phased array control and transversal filtering. These delay lines use acousto-optic deflectors for both optical delay path selection and optical beam realignment, producing inherently self-aligning control architectures. Both transmissive and reflective designs are introduced that can operate with either fiber, free-space, and solid-optic delay paths. High accuracy analog tuning of both beam position and beam optical power are possible with these modules. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V