Both the center wavelength and the sidelobe structure of an integrated
acousto-optic tunable filter (AOTF) are determined by the effective w
aveguide birefringence along the length of the device. By altering the
birefringence by means of the electro-optic effect, one can control t
hese device characteristics in potentially useful ways. Electro-optic
tuning of the center frequency of an AOTF is demonstrated, and it is s
hown that this tuning mode, while limited to smaller ranges than acous
tic frequency tuning, is many orders of magnitude faster. By use of mu
ltisection electrodes, dynamic control over the shape of the filter fu
nction is demonstrated. Finally, a number of practical uses of this te
chnique are discussed.