Acoustooptic multiplication of the frequency shift of optical radiation on the basis of bragg polarization splitting

A technique for the acoustooptic multiplication of the frequency shift of an optical beam is proposed. The technique is based on the cascade diffraction of the beam by a single acoustic wave with the use of Bragg polarization splitting in a uniaxial crystal. The fundamental possibility of the practical realization of the technique is confirmed experimentally by using anisotropic acoustooptic diffraction in LiNbO₃.     

New acoustooptic effect: Constant high diffraction efficiency in wide range of acoustic power

A new effect, viz., acoustooptic Bragg diffraction without the overmodulation mode, in which the efficiency of the Bragg order attains its maximal value (close to 100%) upon an increase in the intensity of an acoustic wave and then remains practically unchanged, is predicted theoretically and observed experimentally. The effect takes place in the case of considerable bending of phase fronts of the acoustic field in the acoustooptic diffraction plane and attains its maximal value at a relatively low frequency of sound, a small width of a piezoelectric transducer, strong acoustic anisotropy of the medium, and a large distance between the light beam and the piezoelectric transducer.     

Dynamic optical transfer function of an acoustooptic modulator with a damped sound wave

Based on a spatially dependent dynamic optical transfer function of an acoustooptic modulator, a dynamic model of light modulation by a sound signal under conditions of acoustic damping is developed. A system of equations describing the dynamics of the acoustooptic interaction is given. Solutions of this equation for arbitrary power level and spatial-time structure of a sound signal are found. It is shown that acoustooptic damping has the strongest effect in a nonlinear modulation regime. Here, the dissipation of an acoustic signal suppresses the higher harmonic of the dynamic optical transfer function. An analytical model of the dynamic optical transfer function for a low level of acoustooptic coupling is given. It is shown that when the pump beam aperture is much greater than the spatial size of an acoustic signal, the time response of the acoustooptic modulator response is identical within a phase factor to the amplitude profile of a pump beam apodized by the exponential dependence of the amplitude of a damped sound wave. Otherwise, the sound damping produces almost no distortions of a plane top of the acoustooptic modulator response to a pulsed signal and shows itself only under phase mismatch conditions. Here, the asymmetry of overshoots at the edges of the acoustooptic modulator response is observed. Calculated plots are presented, which illustrate the aforementioned specific features of the transient process under conditions of acoustic damping in the acoustooptic interaction in paratellurite.     

Effect of the spatial structure of an acoustic field on Bragg’s acoustooptic diffraction under strong acoustic anisotropy conditions

Bragg’s acoustooptic diffraction in an acoustically anisotropic medium is considered taking into account the two-dimensional spatial diffraction structure of the acoustic beam. The conditions are determined under which reverse transfer of optical power from the diffracted to the transmitted beam in the regime of 100% efficiency of diffraction is considerably suppressed. It is shown that this effect is due to diffraction bending of wave fronts of the acoustic beam in the acoustooptic diffraction plane. The problem of optimization of the piezoelectric transducer size and the spatial position of the input light beam is solved using the criterion of the minimal required power of the acoustic field. The results of simulation in a wide range of the acoustooptic interaction parameters for a Gaussian light beam are reported. The correctness of the model is confirmed experimentally. Recommendations for designers of acoustooptic devices are formulated.     

Acoustooptic nonpolar light controlling devices and polarization modulators based on paratellurite crystals

A complex of investigations and projects aimed at solving problems of highly effective acoustooptic control of nonpolarized laser radiation is generalized on the basis of anisotropic Bragg’s diffraction in a TeO₂ crystal from a slow acoustic wave, which is characterized by extraordinarily high acoustooptic quality. Modulators of the zeroth diffraction order, modulators of the first Bragg’s order, and a polarization-insensitive deflector are considered. The developed systems ensure the control of the polarization state of optical radiation. These systems are employed in setups and devices based on high-power solid-state and fiber lasers with a wavelength of 1.06 μm.     

Intermediate regime for the diffraction of light on ultrasound in gyrotropic anisotropic crystals

An intermediate regime for the diffraction of light on ultrasound in gyrotropic anisotropic and cubic crystals in an external electric field is considered. A system of equations of the coupled waves, which describes acoustooptic diffraction in gyrotropic anisotropic crystals with consideration of the electrically induced optical anisotropy for a strong interaction between light and ultrasound, is presented. An intermediate regime for the diffraction of light on ultrasound in gyrotropic anisotropic crystals which is close to the Bragg regime for a weak acoustooptic interaction is studied. It is shown that the diffracted light is elliptically polarized and that the ellipticity and polarization azimuth of the diffracted wave depend on the anisotropy of the photoelasticity, the electrically induced anisotropy of the crystal in the external electric field, the gyrotropy, and the asymmetry of the diffraction structure. Zh. Tekh. Fiz. 67, 80–82 (September 1997)     

TeO2 single-crystal acoustooptic 2×2 switch for light beams of different wavelengths

The principles of acoustooptic switching of two light beams of different wavelengths by means of an acoustooptic interaction with two acoustic waves are examined. A version in which the acoustic waves form parallelograms and a version with strictly orthogonal propagation are considered. The latter version is the more attractive one when a TeO₂ single crystal is used as the acoustooptic cell. Experiments on the switching of two-color Ar laser radiation with wavelengths λ₁=0.5145 and λ₂=0.488 μm are carried out and demonstrate a high switching efficiency. On the whole, the experiment confirms the basic conclusions of the theory. Zh. Tekh. Fiz. 67, 66–71 (February 1997)     

Nearly backward reflection of bulk acoustic waves at grazing incidence in a TeO2 crystal

Reflection of bulk acoustic waves in a TeO₂ acoustooptic single crystal is studied for the case of a grazing incidence on the free crystal-vacuum boundary. The propagation and reflection of elastic waves is considered in the XOY plane of the material cut out in the form of a rectangular prism. An extraordinary case of reflection at the grazing incidence, when the energy flow of one of the two reflected waves in the crystal is directed opposite to that of the incident wave, is studied. It is shown that the transformation of the incident elastic energy into the energy of the backward-reflected wave can occur with an efficiency close to 100% and can be observed in a wide range of crystal cut angles. An abrupt change of the reflection coefficients in the vicinity of the critical angle is predicted.     

Gaussian laser beam tailoring using acoustooptic cell

Profile shaping of a Gaussian laser beam by an acoustic wave is well described using Collins integral and ABCD matrix formalism. It is shown by a numerical simulation that the relative width of the laser beam to the ultrasonic wavelength and the acoustic pressure inside the acoustooptic cell act on the light intensity diffraction pattern.Obtained results show that the output intensity profile differs from the incident Gaussian beam shape, and it is more broadened with an increase in the acoustic pressure. The intensity of a focused laser beam is transformed in a flat form in the central region if the acoustic pressure is proprely controlled.On the other hand the intensity longitudinal range (ILR) of the flat shape is discussed along the propagation axes, we have found the ILR is about 2 mm for a focal length distance f=100 mm.     

Acousto-optic diffraction in hematite due to the magnetoelastic modulation of the polarizations of optical modes

Acousto-optic diffraction in the Raman-Nath regime is observed in the α-Fe₂O₃ easy-plane antiferromagnet. This diffraction is caused by the magnetoelastic modulation of the polarizations of normal optical modes propagating along the trigonal axis of the crystal. The diffraction parameters are analyzed as functions of the static magnetic field applied in the basal plane. The intensity of the diffraction wave in fields on the order of the monodomainization field of the samples (H _D ≈ 1.8 kOe), at an acoustic flux power of I _S ～ 7.0 W/cm², was approximately 0.11% of the incident light intensity and its polarization was perpendicular to the polarization of the linearly polarized incident wave. It is shown that the observed intensity is comparable with the intensity of the acousto-optic diffraction in nonmagnetic materials. The results are well described by the theory of acoustooptic diffraction in antiferromagnets {E. A. Turov, Zh. Éksp. Teor. Fiz. 112, 1464 (1997) [JETP 85, 797 (1997)]} and confirm its basic conclusions.     

Influence of light polarization on characteristics of a collinear acoustooptic diffraction

The collinear acoustooptic diffraction of arbitrarily polarized radiation is studied. It is shown that the spectrum of diffracted light at the exit of an acoustooptic cell generally consists of four components, which have different frequencies and polarizations. Beats of these components lead to the modulation of the light passed through an analyzer installed at the exit of the system. Dependences of the amplitudes of components of the passed radiation on the frequency and power of an acoustic wave are studied for different orientations of the polarizer and analyzer.

     

Acousto-optic Bragg diffraction in paratellurite by the sidelobes of the spatial radiation spectrum of an acoustic transducer

Acousto-optic Bragg diffraction in paratellurite is investigated within the two first diffraction orders for the case of diffraction by the sidelobes of the spatial radiation spectrum of an acoustic transducer. One of the diffraction orders is due to anisotropic diffraction, and the other, to isotropic diffraction. Such a diffraction regime is achieved when the diffraction plane is inclined toward the optical axis of the crystal. For light with a wavelength of 0.63 × 10^–4 cm diffracted by a “slow” sound wave with a frequency of 26 MHz, the effect manifests itself when the angle between the acousto-optic diffraction plane and the optical axis of paratellurite is ~3°. The effect is experimentally verified. The diffraction efficiency is 20% for each of the diffraction orders for a microwave signal of 8 V at the transducer.     

Acoustooptic cells with nonuniform length of light-sound interaction

Diffraction of light by acoustic waves that are generated in the acoustooptic cells of piezoelectric transducers with complex geometry is studied. The diffraction by acoustic beams with triangular, quadrangular (rhombic), hexagonal, etc., cross sections, when the lengths of light-sound interaction in the cross-sectional area of the light beam are different, is considered in the plane wave approximation. The difference in the length of interaction affects the instrument function of acoustooptic devices and provides the suppression of the side lobes in their transmission function. The advantages of using cells with complex-geometry transducers in tunable acoustooptic filters that are incorporated into fiber-optic communication lines with wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM) are discussed.     

Efficient multiple-beam Bragg acoustooptic diffraction with phase optimization of a multifrequency acoustic wave

The subject of investigation is the formation of a highly efficient multiple-beam diffraction field resulting from acoustooptic diffraction by a periodically modulated acoustic wave and acoustic signal composed of a set of independently generated equidistant frequency components. Conditions for minimization of optical losses associated with higher diffraction orders are analyzed. A highly efficient multiple-beam diffraction field is formed by optimizing the phases and amplitudes of signal independent components. A technique of acoustooptic measurements at a high laser radiation intensity is developed, and the basics of the theory are verified experimentally. An attempt to split the power of a laser beam propagating through an optical fiber into seven channels of equal intensities is realized with a net efficiency of 80%.     

Anisotropic acoustooptic modulator of nonpolarized light based on diffraction by a slow acoustic wave in a paratellurite crystal

The problem of anisotropic Bragg diffraction of nonpolarized light by a slow acoustic wave in a TeO₂ crystal is solved. Two independent acoustic waves are excited in the crystal. Nonpolarized light splits in the crystal into two orthogonally polarized eigenmodes, either diffracting by its associated acoustic beam. Conditions under which the angles of incidence and diffraction are the same for both diffraction processes are found. Depending on the acoustic frequency, the diffracted light at the exit from the crystal may be represented either by a single nonpolarized beam or by two orthogonally polarized beams with different directions and orthogonal polarizations. This may provide a high diffraction efficiency (up to 100%) for nonpolarized light in a TeO₂ crystal. Theoretical calculations are supported by experiments. Modulators capable of controlling a high-power laser operating at a wavelength of 1.06 μm are fabricated.     

Isotropic acoustooptic Bragg diffraction in paratellurite by a slow shear wave

An analysis is made of acoustooptic Bragg diffraction in a paratellurite crystal in the case of a slow shear acoustic wave. It is shown that the isotropic acoustooptic interaction in crystals has characteristic physical features, which distinguish it from the well-known anisotropic interaction. The isotropic interaction under study is shown to be a more complicated process than diffraction in optically isotropic media. A theoretical and experimental study of the dependences of Bragg angle of incidence on the ultrasound frequency was made. Expressions for the calculation of this dependence are presented, which give results that agree well with the experimental data. The dependences of the isotropic-diffraction efficiency on the acoustic power were studied. For the first time, it was found that the corresponding dependences for anisotropic and isotropic interactions are substantially different. It is shown that the isotropic interaction under study is weaker than the anisotropic interaction. However, the isotropic-diffraction efficiency has a noticeable value and can reach tens of a percent.     

Optimization of a KDP-based acoustooptic tunable filter

The characteristics of an acoustooptic cell optimized for a tunable filter making it possible to analyze optical images in the UV range (λ = 200–400 nm) are studied. The attenuation of a slow shear acoustic wave in the (010) plane of the crystal is measured. It is shown that attenuation of ultrasound affects the filtering characteristics at frequencies f > 500 MHz. Analytical and experimental data are presented, and factors influencing the quality of images obtained with KDP-based acoustooptic filters are discussed.     

Diffraction characteristics of acoustooptic interaction in an acoustic field with a curved wave front

A theoretical model is presented for the strong two-dimensional acoustooptic interaction (AOI) of finite-size beams with arbitrary profiles in an acoustic field with a curved wave front. Transfer functions are derived in a universal normalized form for the AOI. The results of numerical simulation of the diffraction characteristics show that during AOI in an acoustic field with a curved wave front the product of the diffraction efficiency and bandwidth increases at least 1.5 times for a weak interaction and more than five times for a strong interaction. The optimal values of the normalized parameters (of the acoustooptic coupling and the curvature), for which the efficiency and bandwidth are maximum, are determined.Tomsk State Academy of Control Systems and Electronics. Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Fizika, No. 4, pp. 41–50, April, 1995.     

Acoustooptic Bragg diffraction without overemodulation with a phased-array transducer

Acoustooptic Bragg diffraction without overemodulation (i.e., with the extended high-efficiency region on the diffraction efficiency dependence vs. sound amplitude) is studied theoretically and experimentally. It is found that this effect appears in the case of a symmetrically nonuniform acoustic field and is due to the equality of additional opposite phase shifts of light beams passing through symmetric regions of the acoustic field. The situation is considered when an acoustic field is excited by a three-section phased-array transducer. The conditions are determined, in which reverse optical power transfer from the diffracted beam to transmitted beam (overemodulation) in the case of a high (close to 100%) diffraction efficiency is considerably suppressed. In the case of a phased array, the effect weakly depends on the frequency of sound and the size of transducer sections, which makes it possible to observe it in a wide range of acoustooptic interaction parameters.     

Investigation into the acoustooptic properties of tellurium crystals by anisotropic diffraction of light

The optical, acoustic, and acoustooptic properties of tellurium crystals viewed as a candidate material for mid-and far-IR acoustooptic devices are considered. The phase velocities, polarization, and drift angles of the acoustic energy in different crystal planes are calculated. The acoustooptic figure of merit for tellurium under the anisotropic diffraction conditions is estimated, and light-sound interaction geometries promising for acoustooptic applications are discussed. Measuring data for the optical and acoustooptic parameters of tellurium crystals are given.