A flexible, open-source radio-frequency driver for acousto-optic and electro-optic devices
arXiv:1908.02156 · doi:10.5281/zenodo.3361540
The paper describes an open‑source, compact radio‑frequency driver built from telecom amplifiers that delivers up to several watts over a broad frequency range and includes fast digital switching and modulation capabilities for use with acousto‑optic and electro‑optic devices.
Abstract
We present a design for a radio-frequency driver that leverages telecom amplifiers to achieve high power output and wide bandwidth. The design consists of two compact printed circuit boards (total area $< 255$ cm), which incorporate power (turn-on) and thermal management to prevent accidental damage to the amplifier circuitry. Our driver provides $>1$ W of output power over a $10$ MHz to $1.1$ GHz frequency range, and $\geq 5$ W from $20$ MHz to $100$ MHz. The driver circuit includes auxiliary components for analog frequency and amplitude modulation ($\approx 70$ kHz bandwidth), as well as digital power switching ($> 30$ dB of extinction within $40$ ns and final extinction $> 90$ dB). The radio-frequency source can also be digitally switched between an external input and an integrated voltage-controlled oscillator. Our design is motivated by the need for flexible, inexpensive drivers of optically active devices, such as acousto-optic and electro-optic modulators.
8 pages, 7 figures