Acousto optical modulators

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The discussion focuses on the operation of acousto-optical modulators (AOMs) in the Bragg regime, specifically regarding the frequency shift of the diffracted wave. The frequency shift Ω is determined by both the driving frequency of the AOM and the angle of incidence of the incoming light, which affects the angle θ of the diffracted beam. A point of confusion arises regarding the relationship between the frequency shift and the phonon frequency, as the latter is constant. Participants share their experiences with different textbooks, with one recommending Boyd's "Nonlinear Optics" for its comprehensive coverage of acousto-optics. The conversation highlights the importance of understanding the interplay between angle and frequency in AOM operation.
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Hi

Say I am looking at an AOM working in the Bragg regime (i.e., only a single diffracted beam). It is easy to show using Bragg's law that the frequency-shift Ω of the diffracted wave is given by
<br /> \Omega = 2n\omega \frac{v}{c}\sin(\theta)<br />
Here Ω is *also* the frequency the AOM is driven with, in other words the LHS is constant in the sense that in does not depend on the incoming light (so the frequency-shift imparted on the wave is constant). However, the RHS does depend on the incoming light, since the angle θ of the diffracted beam is equal to the angle of incidence of the incoming beam, so I can change it easily by e.g. turning the AOM.

In my book it says that the shift Ω is zero for forward scattering and maximum for backscattering. This is what I don't understand: The shift Ω is the same as the frequency of the phonons in the material, which is *constant*. So how can I change the frequency shift of the diffracted wave by changing the angle on incidence? Niles.
 
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OK, I understand my error now.
 
What book are you using? I have one by Korpel, and it's not working for me...
 
I am using Boyd's Nonlinear Optics, it has a nice chapter on spontaneous light-scattering including Acoustooptics. I hope it works out. Niles.
 
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