[camacazio]

Today I was working through some concepts in relation to acousto-optical modulators. I currently am constructing boxes of RF electronics using BNC connectors--specifically RF switches and amplifiers. Sending the amplifiers into the modulators produce high powered sound waves causing brillouin scattering. Sending a laser through the modulator causes a diffraction in the laser light, the principle maximum being used as a deflected laser ray. The switches and amps allow high speed switching between different levels of power through the modulators. This in turn gives very fast control over the direction of light--much easier than adjusting mirrors by hand or using a bunch of different lasers. I'm not really sure what our lab needs all that junk for though.