Acousto-optic programmable filters and the sampling theorem

We analyze the relations between discrete RF signals and their spectra from the point of view of the sampling theorem and properties of discrete Fourier transform. The RF waveforms with given duration and spectral bandwidth are used for controlling acousto-optic tunable filters in programmable broadband transmission mode. It is demonstrated that the maximum second order dispersion of the AOTF is reduced by the factor of 2 compared to a linear chirped signal with the same bandwidth and duration. This analysis is important for applications in precision ultrafast laser pulse shaping and adaptive spectroscopy.