Acousto optical modulators

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around acousto-optical modulators (AOMs) operating in the Bragg regime, specifically focusing on the frequency shift of the diffracted wave as described by Bragg's law. Participants explore the relationship between the frequency shift, the angle of incidence, and the properties of the material.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation, Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents the equation for the frequency shift Ω of the diffracted wave in an AOM and discusses its dependence on the angle of incidence θ.
  • The same participant questions how the frequency shift can vary with the angle of incidence if it is also related to the constant frequency of phonons in the material.
  • Another participant expresses confusion regarding the reference material they are using, indicating a potential gap in understanding or clarity in the text.
  • A later reply mentions a different book that includes a chapter on spontaneous light-scattering and acousto-optics, suggesting it may provide better insights.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the interpretation of the frequency shift in relation to the angle of incidence, and there is a lack of agreement on the effectiveness of the reference materials being used.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved questions regarding the relationship between the frequency shift and the angle of incidence, as well as the interpretation of the reference material's content.

Niles
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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
[tex] \Omega = 2n\omega \frac{v}{c}\sin(\theta)[/tex]
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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