title: Dynamic demonstration of diffractive optic analog-to-digital converter scheme.
abstract: Dynamic behavior of an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) based on diffractive optical element(s) (DOE)(s) was studied and found to be in agreement with predictions. The analog signal was translated to an angular deflection of a laser beam by means of an acousto-optic (AO) cell. The number of bits in this experimental demonstration was three, using an eight-element DOE array. The maximum sample rate was found to be 2.5 MS/s, the limiting factor being the transit time for the acoustic wave across the width of the laser beam in the AO cell. The study is intended as a first dynamic demonstration of a proposed ADC scheme previously demonstrated in a quasi-static version. The full potential of the ADC scheme will require the use of a fast tunable diode laser to replace the AO deflection scheme used here.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microelectronics, Photonics Laboratory, Chalmers University of Technology, SE-412 96 Göteborg, Sweden. sheila@elm.chalmers.se
authors.forename: Sheila
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Galt
authors.forename: Anders
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Magnusson
authors.forename: Sverker
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hård