Novel optical observation technique for shear horizontal wave in SAW resonators on 42/spl deg/YX-cut lithium tantalate

Abstract

We developed a new optical technique for observing the shear horizontal component of surface acoustic waves. The technique detects the change in polarization of the probe light caused by the photoelastic effect. We measured the distribution in and around a resonator on rotated Y-cut LiTaO/sub 3/, and occurrence and propagation of leakage was observed.