Frequency Shifting of a Gaussian Light Beam by Ultrasonic Surface Waves

Abstract

A theoretical treatment of the diffraction of a monochromatic Gaussian light beam by reflection off a single‐frequency ultrasonic surface wave is presented. With a suitable incident‐light‐beam diameter a discrete diffraction pattern is formed. The form and the frequency spectrum of the light in the pattern are stated in detail for the limiting case of small‐sound‐beam intensity. A description is given of experiments which verify the theoretical predictions.