A low-cost shutter driver and arbitrary waveform generator for optical switching using a programmable system-on-chip...

We have developed a low-cost mechanical shutter driver with integrated arbitrary waveform generation for optical switching and control using a programmable system-on-chip device. This microcontroller-based device with configurable digital and analog blocks is readily programmed using free software, allowing for easy customization for a variety of applications. Additional digital and analog outputs with arbitrary timings can be used to control a variety of devices, such as additional shutters, acousto-optical modulators, or camera trigger pulses, for complete control and imaging of laser light. Utilizing logic-level control signals, this device can be readily integrated into existing computer control and data acquisition systems for expanded hardware capabilities.