Acousto-optic modulators are devices that use sound waves to modify the amplitude, frequency, or phase of light passing through an acousto-optic material.
Electro-optic modulators are analog or digital devices that use an electric field to alter the characteristics (e.g., band gap and index of refraction) of a material through which light is traveling, changing the characteristics of the light itself.
Optical choppers are mechanical or electronic devices that pass and then interrupt a beam of light for a known brief interval. Optical shutters are used to control the amount of time that a light sensitive material is exposed to radiation.
Q-switches are devices used in the optical resonator of a laser to prevent lasing action until a high level of inversion is achieved in the lasing medium.
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