Investigation in acousto-optic laser stabilization for crystal resonator-based optoelectronic oscillators

International audiencePotentialities are investigated for using acousto-optic cells based on a TeO2 crystal to stabilize a microwave signal generated by an optoelectronic oscillator. Bulk acoustic waves at two radio frequencies (RF) near 60 MHz are launched in the two identical cells providing a required locking on of a microwave signal. Differences between RF signals are up to 400 kHz to follow quality factor of the optic resonator typically in the range of 5×108. Critical alignment of the two cells is performed thanks to an extraordinary polarized laser beam launched at a very low Bragg angle of light incidence. Moreover, the system is operating for any resonator to be inserted into the optoelectronic oscillator with a Q factor in the range of 2×107−1011