A new type of acousto-optic (AO) modulator with performance is describ
ed. By using phased array transducers in a birefringent AO cell, it is
possible to simultaneously satisfy the tangential and noncritical pha
se matching conditions and achieve both large bandwidth and angular ap
erature. The new design is optimum for modulators and low resolution d
eflectors with the important advantage of fast input optics.