Wide-aperture acousto-optic interaction in birefringent crystals

Regularities of the wide-aperture mode of light diffraction by acoustic waves in crystals with different values of birefringence are considered. The diffraction has been investigated theoretically and experimentally with the aim of applying it in acousto-optic filters used in processing uncollimated optical beams and images. It is proved that the main filtration parameters depend on the birefringence of crystals used in processing luminous fluxes. By the example of wide-aperture filters based on paratellurite, magnesium fluoride, and potassium dihydrogen phosphate crystals, it is shown that the choice of crystals with high birefringence may increase the maximum attainable angular aperture and throughput of devices. It is also proved that application of crystalline compounds of mercury and tellurium (characterized by high optical anisotropy) in filters increases spectral resolution and improves the quality of filtered images.