Experimental determination of full matrices of the piezo-optic and elasto-optic coefficients for Pb5Ge3O11 crystals.

We determine full matrices of piezo-optic and elasto-optic coefficients for lead germanate crystals, Pb5Ge3O11, using Dixon-Cohen and interferometric methods. Two different types of samples are studied, single- and multi-domain. We show that the correct data for the Pb5Ge3O11 crystals can be obtained only with single-domain samples, since the domain structure induces a number of features that make the final results unreliable. We demonstrate that the acousto-optic figures of merit reach high-enough values at the isotropic acousto-optic interactions with longitudinal acoustic waves propagating along the principal x and z axes (63×10-15 and 37×10-15s3/kg), respectively. At the same time, the efficiency of the acousto-optic interactions with transverse acoustic waves is low. The same is true concerning anisotropic acousto-optic diffraction, since the appropriate elasto-optic coefficients are small enough.

Effect of deviation from purely transverse and longitudinal polarization states of acoustic waves on the anisotropy of acousto-optic figure of merit: the case of Tl3AsS4 crystals.

We analyze the effect of acoustic wave (AW) polarization states deviation from purely longitudinal and transverse on the anisotropy of the acousto-optic (AO) figure of merit for the case of AO interactions occurring in the principal crystallographic planes. In particular, we obtain phenomenological relations that describe the effective elasto-optic coefficient for the six types of AO interactions, which exhaust all of the possible isotropic AO diffractions. These relations are compared for the alternative cases when the deviations of polarization of the AWs from purely longitudinal and transverse ones are either taken into consideration or completely neglected. Our analysis carried out on the example of Tl3AsS4 crystals reveals that the deviation of AW polarization from its pure states influences the anisotropy of the AO figure of merit only when the AO interactions with quasi-transverse AWs are dealt with. This fact is caused by the peculiar acoustic and elasto-optic properties of Tl3AsS4. On the other hand, the situation can become different for other crystalline materials, where the angular dependences of the AO figure of merit can differ significantly in cases in which the deviation angle increases. This holds true for the AO interactions with both quasi-transverse and quasi-longitudinal AWs. Under these conditions, non-orthogonality of the AWs (or deviation from their longitudinal polarization states) affects essentially the AO characteristics. Finally, we determine the geometries of AO interactions for which the highest AO figures of merit are reached for the Tl3AsS4 crystals.

Piezo-, elasto- and acousto-optic properties of Tl3AsS4 crystals.

Complete matrices of piezo-optic and elasto-optic tensors are experimentally determined for Tl3AsS4 crystals. It is revealed that the piezo-optic coefficients are very high, ∼10-11 N/m2 in the order of magnitude. This implies that Tl3AsS4 can be referred to the best piezo-optic materials. The same concerns the elasto-optic coefficients, of which absolute values are in the interval 0.28-0.54. It is also found that, at the anisotropic and isotropic interactions with the slowest transverse and longitudinal acoustic waves, the acousto-optic figure of merit reaches extremely high values (1.99×10-12 s3/kg and 9.45×10-13 s3/kg, respectively). In other words, the Tl3AsS4 crystals can be referred to as one of the best acousto-optic materials for the visible and infrared spectral ranges.

Piezo-optic and elasto-optic properties of monoclinic triglycine sulfate crystals.

For the first time, to the best of our knowledge, we have experimentally determined all of the components of the piezo-optic tensor for monoclinic crystals. This has been implemented on a specific example of triglycine sulfate crystals. Based on the results obtained, the complete elasto-optic tensor has been calculated. Acousto-optic figures of merit (AOFMs) have been estimated for the case of acousto-optic interaction occurring in the principal planes of the optical indicatrix ellipsoid and for geometries in which the highest elasto-optic coefficients are involved as effective parameters. It has been found that the highest AOFM value is equal to 6.8×10-15 s3/kg for the case of isotropic acousto-optic interaction with quasi-longitudinal acoustic waves in the principal planes. This AOFM is higher than the corresponding values typical for canonic acousto-optic materials, which are transparent in the deep ultraviolet spectral range.

Anisotropy of an acousto-optic figure of merit for NaBi(MoO4)2 crystals.

We develop a technique for analyzing the anisotropy of an acousto-optic figure of merit for crystals belonging to tetragonal symmetry groups 4/m, 4, and 4¯. The technique is based on phenomenological relations that describe anisotropies of the effective elasto-optic coefficients and the acoustic wave velocities. Our approach is verified on the example of NaBi(MoO4)2 crystals for all possible types and geometries of acousto-optic interactions. We list and characterize the acousto-optic interaction geometries at which the maximal acousto-optic figures of merit are reached for both isotropic and anisotropic interaction types. Finally, we show that the acousto-optic efficiency of NaBi(MoO4)2 originates mainly from large elasto-optic coefficients.

Anisotropy of acousto-optic figure of merit for LiNbO3 crystals: anisotropic diffraction.

We have developed a method for the analysis of anisotropy of an acousto-optic figure of merit (AOFM), which is valid for the case of anisotropic diffraction in the trigonal crystals of the point symmetries 3m, 32, and 3¯m. The method is verified via the example of LiNbO3 crystals. The relations for the effective elasto-optic coefficients and the AOFM are obtained for the three types of acousto-optic (AO) interactions peculiar for the anisotropic AO diffraction: the interaction of a so-called type VII with a quasi-longitudinal acoustic wave and the interactions of types VIII and IX with two quasi-transverse acoustic waves. The AO diffraction geometries providing maximal AOFM values have been determined for each of the mentioned interaction types. We have found that the maximum AOFM proper for LiNbO3 is equal to 15.9×10-15 s3/kg. This value is achieved at the type IX of AO interactions in the interaction plane rotated by 60.0 deg around the principal X axis with respect to the principal X-Z plane. The type VIII of AO interactions is characterized by a comparable AOFM (15.1×10-15 s3/kg), which is realized in the Y-Z interaction plane. A close comparison of our results with the available experimental data demonstrates their fairly good agreement.

Photoelastic properties of lithium tetraborate crystals.

We report the results of comprehensive studies of the piezo-optic and elasto-optic effects in lithium tetraborate crystals, Li2B4O7. The full matrices of piezo-optic and elasto-optic coefficients are obtained using a recently developed method based on four-point bending. On this basis, we have estimated the acousto-optic figure of merit for Li2B4O7.

Anisotropy of the acousto-optic figure of merit for LiNbO3 crystals: isotropic diffraction.

We have developed an approach for analyzing the anisotropy of the acousto-optic figure of merit (AOFM) for lithium niobate crystals in the case of isotropic acousto-optic (AO) diffraction. The working relations for the effective elasto-optic coefficients and the AOFM have been derived. We have found that, under the conditions of isotropic AO diffraction, the maximum AOFM value for LiNbO3 is equal to 11.62×10(-15) s(3)/kg. This is peculiar for the geometry of AO interaction of the shear acoustic wave propagating in the Y-Z plane (the velocity 3994 m/s) with the optical wave polarized in the same plane. We have demonstrated that the maximum AOFM values are achieved mainly due to the essential anisotropy and high values of the elasto-optic coefficient of LiNbO3.

Photoelastic properties of NaBi(MoO4)2 crystals.

In this work we present the results of comprehensive studies of the piezo-optic and elasto-optic effects in NaBi(MoO4)2 crystals. The full matrices of the piezo-optic and elasto-optic coefficients for the NaBi(MoO4)2 crystals are obtained for the first time, to the best of our knowledge. The acousto-optic effect in the NaBi(MoO4)2 is analyzed for the case of interactions of optical waves with the slowest acoustic waves. It is shown that the crystals under analysis can be efficiently used as working elements for the collinear acousto-optic tunable filters.

Acoustic anisotropy of acoustooptic TI(3)AsS(4) crystals.

We present comprehensive experimental measurements and analysis of anisotropy of the acoustic wave velocities for TI(3)AsS(4) crystals, including the obliquity and nonorthogonality of the acoustic waves, and the deviations from purely longitudinal and transverse polarization types. We have found that the crystals under analysis are characterized by rather low transverse wave velocities v(23) and v(32), which are both equal to 630 m/s. It is shown that the efficiency of acoustooptic (AO) interactions in TI(3)AsS(4) can be notably increased when providing anisotropic interaction with the slowest transverse acoustic wave. Under the previously mentioned conditions, the AO figure-of-merit can be estimated to be extremely high, i.e., approximately 3×10(-12) s(3)/kg.

Anisotropy of acousto-optic figure of merit in optically isotropic media.

We suggest a new approach for analyzing spatial anisotropy of an acousto-optic figure of merit (AOFM). The relations for the effective elasto-optic coefficients and the AOFM are derived for all possible types of acousto-optic (AO) interactions in optically isotropic media, including nonsolid-state and solid-state amorphous media and crystals belonging to the cubic system. Our approach allows for finding the optimal geometries of AO interactions characterized by the highest AOFM for a given material. The analysis is carried out on the examples of cubic KBr and KAl(SO4)2 × 12H2O crystals, which represent different subgroups of the cubic symmetry class.

Faraday effect in Sn2P2S6 crystals.

We have revealed a large Faraday rotation in tin thiohypodiphosphate (Sn(2)P(2)S(6)) crystals, which makes this material promising for magneto-optics. The effective Faraday tensor component and the Verdet constant for the direction of the optic axis have been determined by measuring the pure Faraday rotation in Sn(2)P(2)S(6) crystals with both the single-ray and small-angular polarimetric methods at the normal conditions and a wavelength of 632.8 nm. The effective Verdet constant is found to be equal to 115 rad/T x m.

Acousto-optic interaction in alpha-BaB(2)O(4)and Li(2)B(4)O(7) crystals.

Experimental studies and analysis of acousto-optic diffraction in alpha-BaB(2)O(4) and Li(2)B(4)O(7) crystals are given. Ultrasonic wave velocity, elastic compliance and stiffness coefficients, and piezo-optic and photoelastic coefficients of alpha-BaB(2)O(4) and Li(2)B(4)O(7) crystals are determined. The acousto-optic figure of merit has been estimated for different possible geometries of acousto-optic interaction. It is shown that the acousto-optic figures of merit for alpha-BaB(2)O(4) crystals reach the value M(2)=(270 +/- 70) x 10(-15) s(3)/kg for the case of interaction with the slowest ultrasonic wave. The directions of propagation and polarization of those acoustic waves are obtained on the basis of construction of acoustic slowness surfaces. The acousto-optic diffraction is experimentally studied for alpha-BaB(2)O(4) and Li(2)B(4)O(7) crystals.