The thermo-optic effect is a phenomenon where the refractive index of a material changes with temperature, affecting how light propagates through it. This effect is significant in optical devices and systems, such as modulators and sensors, where temperature-induced changes can be harnessed or need to be compensated for to maintain performance.
Acousto-optic modulation involves the use of sound waves to control light waves, typically in optical devices like lasers, by exploiting the acousto-optic effect where an acoustic wave induces a periodic change in the refractive index of a medium. This interaction allows for the modulation of light in terms of frequency, amplitude, or phase, enabling applications such as beam deflection, frequency shifting, and signal processing in telecommunications and laser systems.