Ultrafast acousto-optic mode conversion in optically birefringent ferroelectrics

• DOI: 10.1038/ncomms12345
• Publication Date: 2016-08-05T09:43:18Z
• Authors: Mariusz Lejman; Gwenaelle Vaudel; Ingrid C. Infante; Ievgeniia Chaban; Thomas Pezeril; Mathieu Edely; Guillaume F. Nataf; Mael Guennou; Jens Kreisel; Vitalyi E. Gusev; Brahim Dkhil; Pascal Ruello
• Keywords: Ferroelectrics and multiferroics; [PHYS]Physics [physics]; [SPI.ACOU]Engineering Sciences [physics]/Acoustics [physics.class-ph]; Photoacoustics; Science; Q; : Physics [G04] [Physical, chemical, mathematical & earth Sciences]; 7. Clean energy; 01 natural sciences; Article; [SPI]Engineering Sciences [physics]; Ultrafast photonics; : Physique [G04] [Physique, chimie, mathématiques & sciences de la terre]; 0103 physical sciences

Abstract The ability to generate efficient giga–terahertz coherent acoustic phonons with femtosecond laser makes acousto-optics a promising candidate for ultrafast light processing, which faces electronic device limits intrinsic complementary metal oxide semiconductor technology. Modern acousto-optic devices, including optical mode conversion process between ordinary and extraordinary waves (and vice versa), remain limited the megahertz range. Here, using generated at tens of gigahertz frequency by pulse, we reveal show its efficiency in ferroelectric materials such as BiFeO 3 LiNbO . Further experimental evidence, provide complete theoretical support this all-optical mechanism mediated interaction. By allowing manipulation polarization phonons, our results novel route development next-generation photonic-based devices highlight new capabilities ferroelectrics modern photonics.