Adaptive optical array receivers for detection of surface acoustic waves

Adaptive interferometric detection systems based on two-wave mixing in phot orefractive crystals have been configured as distributed optical receivers. The spatial distribution of the detection laser power on the sample surfac e is controlled by use of phase gratings and amplitude masks. The responses of pint, line, array, and chirped optical receivers to propagating surface acoustic waves (SAW's) are discussed theoretically and demonstrated experi mentally. It is shown that by use of different object beam footprints it is possible to configure adaptive holographic SAW receivers that are either b roadband or narrow band and that are preferentially sensitive to SAW's prop agating in given directions. The receivers also allow for the distribution of laser power over the sample, eliminating the excessive heating or surfac e damage that can occur in some materials when high power, point-focused, d etection lasers are used. (C) 2000 Optical Society of America. OCIS codes: 120.4290, 090.2880, 110.7170, 190.7070.