Acousto-optical processors based on light polarization techniques

l'olarization discrimination tcchniques are descri- bed, which may be successfully used in rhe realization of acousto-optical devices. They may either improve dynamic range and bandwidth or reduce size of devices. One such technique relies on the use of the acousto- optical nduced birefringence ,while the second is a po- larization interferometry technique based on the use of an optical Savart plate specifically designed for any particular device. Two Fourier spectrum analyzers are presented which use either technique combined with the chirp - Fourier transforn~ algorithm.