Diffraction order asymmetries in the scattering of light by surface waves

Abstract

The diffraction of light by surface waves on transmission through the propagation surface was investigated and a suitable Raman Nath parameter defined. Asymmetries in the intensities of the ± 1 diffraction orders were predicted, shown to be much larger than for the equivalent bulk wave case, and were verified experimentally for light incident on 96 and 480 MHz surface waves on y–z lithium niobate. Also analyzed theoretically are the diffraction of light by Blaustein–Gulyaev waves and the intensities of the ± 2 orders for transmission diffraction of light by surface waves.