The nonreciprocal effect under low- and high-frequency collinear acousto-optic interactions

The nonreciprocal effect under collinear acousto-optic interaction in the low- and high-frequency regimes is studied theoretically. The magnitudes of nonreciprocity determined from the ultrasonic frequency and from the wavelength of light are shown to be quantitatively identical. An expression that governs the magnitude of the nonreciprocity and that is valid for both low- and high-frequency regimes of the collinear acousto-optic interaction is obtained. The shape and width of the frequency characteristic of the collinear acousto-optic interaction calculated in the low diffraction efficiency approximation are shown to be the same in the low- and high-frequency regimes. The dependence of the frequency bandwidth of the collinear acousto-optic interaction on the ultrasonic-wave attenuation and diffraction efficiency is obtained. The magnitude of the nonreciprocal effect in some of the crystals used in acousto-optics is estimated numerically. The nonreciprocity of the collinear interaction is shown to be substantially stronger in the high-frequency regime relative to the low-frequency regime. Sapphire is proved to be an optimal material for experimental realization of the nonreciprocal effect in the high-frequency regime.