Control Light with Sound! How to build a DIY AOTF AOM PCAOM controller!

Episode #31

In this episode I take a look at an Acousto-optic Tunable Filter!
This device allows us to modulate or pick a wavelength from a multiline Laser using very high frequency sound waves, that are coupled into a crystal using a Piezoelecric transducer.

Since this did not come with a controller, I show you how to build a controller for these devices for under 100 bucks, using an inexpensive Voltage controlled Oscillator (VCO) and an RF Amplifier!

Wiki Article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acousto-optics

Data Sheet: https://www.laserland.de/tl_files/content/shop/show_equipment/Crystall/aa-aotf.pdf

Schaefer-Bergmann diffraction pattern: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/1076617?arnumber=1076617

BOM:
70-200MHz VCO RF Signal Source Voltage Controlled Oscillator Signal Generator :
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/254282762704

2MHZ-700MHZ 3W HF VHF UHF FM Transmitter RF Power Amplifier Module For Ham Radio:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/334032510798

LM317 DC Linear Regulator module:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/254992672747

...and a well stocked parts bin ;-)

See also: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yoK4_UN7dA8