Rapid parallelization of tailored laser beams with acousto-optofluidics

Abstract

A novel tool for the simultaneous shaping and parallelization of a laser beam is presented. Our method exploits the interaction of light and ultrasound in a fluid to form various light intensity patterns with a large tunability and at high speed. Arrays of tailored beams (Gaussian, annular, or Bessel) can be formed by properly selecting the acusto-optofluidic parameters. The integration of the acousto-optofluidic system into conventional laser workstations can pave the way for three-dimensional laser micromachining and super-resolution microscopy at unprecedented speeds.