Acousto-optic tunable filter

An Acousto-Optic Tunable Filter (AOTF) is a device that uses sound waves to control light. When sound waves travel through a crystal, they create areas of compression and rarefaction, which can bend or change the path of light. By adjusting the frequency of the sound waves, the filter can selectively allow different colors of light to pass through while blocking others. This technology is useful in various applications, such as spectroscopy, where analyzing specific colors of light helps identify materials or substances. Essentially, it allows precise manipulation of light based on sound.