Acousto-optical data processing exploiting the wave heterodyning

Abstract

The process of co-directional collinear wave heterodyning, considered for the particular case of its realizing through interaction the longitudinal elastic waves of finite amplitudes, is studied theoretically and investigated experimentally via the acousto-optical technique. We examine possible applications of this phenomenon to a real-time scale acoustooptical analysis of the frequency spectrum belonging to ultra-high-frequency radio-wave signals. The first step along this way was connected with experimental modeling of the elastics wave heterodyning process in solids via exploitation of acousto-optical cell on the base of liquids, which allow the simplest realization of a cell with needed performance data. Then, these theoretical findings have been used in our experimental studies aimed at improving the accuracy of acousto-optical devices. In particular, the possibility of creating the acousto-optical data processing with the acoustic wave heterodyning has been experimentally observed in a cell made of lead molybdate crystal. The obtained results demonstrate efficiency of the approach presented.