Interaction of two coherent light beams with ultrasonic wave

Abstract

The accurate theory describing interaction of two coherent light beams with ultrasonic wave where one of the light beam is incident at positive Bragg angle while the other at negative was developed by Leroy and Blomme in 1984 . The assumed geometry in this theory resembles an interferometer wherein ultrasonic beam plays a role of the output beam splitter of the light. The output light intensity is modulated with ultrasonic frequency as a result of interference between the light in diffraction orders in which the frequency is changed due to the Doppler effects with those diffracted with unchanged frequency. Temporal modulation of the light intensities in diffraction orders, that was foreseen by Leroy and Blomme, was confirmed experimentally and the results will be presented. In addition, the Leroy-Blomme theory has been extended to include the effect of the initial phase of the ultrasonic wave on the phase of modulation of light intensity in diffraction orders. According to the best knowledge of the author, Leroy and Blomme theory has not been verified experimentally, although many years have passed. This theory could be applied to the quantum optics phenomenon when pairs of entangled photons are incident on ultrasonic wave instead of two coherent light beams. The geometry of interaction of two coherent light beams with ultrasonic wave in Leroy-Blomme theory is the same as for Hong-Ou-Mandel interferometer wherein a beam splitter is replaced by the ultrasonic wave. Similarities and differences between Leroy-Blomme and Hong-Ou-Mandel interferometers will be presented.