Multi-channel laser system including an acousto-optic modulator (aom) with beam polarization switching and related methods

A system comprising:

• a laser source;
• an acousto-optic modulator (AOM) coupled downstream from the laser source;
• an optical medium body coupled downstream from the AOM and having a first stiffness;
• a backing block coupled to the optical medium body and having a second stiffness greater than the first stiffness;
• a piezoelectric transducer coupled to the optical medium body on a side thereof opposite the backing block so that the optical medium body is between the piezoelectric transducer and the backing block;
• and
• a beam polarization controller coupled to the piezoelectric transducer.

A system comprising:

• a laser source;
• an acousto-optic modulator (AOM) coupled downstream from the laser source;
• an optical medium body coupled downstream of the AOM and having a first stiffness;
• a backing block coupled to the optical medium body and having a second stiffness greater than the first stiffness;
• and
• a piezoelectric transducer to be coupled to a beam polarization controller, the piezoelectric transducer coupled to the optical medium body on a side thereof opposite the backing block so that the optical medium body is between the piezoelectric transducer and the backing block.

A method for controlling polarization of a modulated laser beam from an acousto-optic modulator (AOM), the method comprising:

• selectively operating a polarization switching device downstream from the AOM, the polarization switching device comprising
• an optical medium body having a first stiffness,
• a backing block coupled to the optical medium body and having a second stiffness greater than the first stiffness, and
• a piezoelectric transducer coupled to the optical medium body on a side thereof opposite the backing block so that the optical medium body is between the piezoelectric transducer and the backing block.