Acousto-optic modulator system and device with connections and related methods

A method for making an acousto-optic system comprising:

• coupling a laser source to an acousto-optic modulator (AOM) comprising an acousto-optic medium and a plurality of transducer electrodes carried by the acousto-optic medium;
• coupling an interface board to the AOM, the interface board comprising a dielectric layer and a plurality of signal contacts carried by the dielectric layer;
• and
• coupling respective signal contacts with respective transducer electrodes using a plurality of connections, each connection comprising
• a dielectric protrusion extending from the AOM, and
• an electrically conductive layer on the dielectric protrusion for coupling a respective transducer electrode to a respective signal contact.

A method for making an acousto-optic device comprising:

• forming an acousto-optic modulator (AOM) to be coupled to a laser source, the AOM comprising an acousto-optic medium and a plurality of transducer electrodes carried by the acousto-optic medium, the acousto-optic medium comprising at least one of fused silica and quartz;
• forming an interface board comprising a dielectric layer and a plurality of signal contacts carried by the dielectric layer;
• and
• forming a plurality of connections coupling respective signal contacts with respective transducer electrodes, each connection comprising
• a dielectric protrusion extending from the AOM, and
• an electrically conductive layer on the dielectric protrusion for coupling a respective transducer electrode to a respective signal contact.