A theoretical study of Gaussian probe beam interaction with thermal waves on the basis of the complex geometrical optics equations is presented. This method of describing probe beam propagation in a nonhomogeneous medium, called the complex ray theory, takes into account the influence of the thermal wave on both amplitude and phase of electric field in the probe Gaussian beam. A comparison between the complex ray theory and previously proposed theories is made. Adequate experimental data confirming the correctness of the presented theory are also given. The least-squares procedure was used in multiparameter fitting the theoretical results to the experimental data and some parameters of the experimental setup were determined. It is proven that the complex ray theory allows correct quantitative interpretation of the data obtained in photodeflection experiments.

A comparison is made of three methods for modeling the interaction of a laser probe beam with the temperature field of a thermal wave. The three methods include: (1) a new method based on complex ray theory, which allows us to take into account the disturbance of the amplitude and phase of the electric field of the probe beam, (2) the ray deflection averaging theory of Aamodt and Murphy, and (3) the wave theory (WT) of Glazov and Muratikov. To carry out this comparison, it is necessary to reformulate the description of the photodeflection signal in either the WT or the ray deflection averaging theory. It is shown that the differences between calculated signals using the different theories are most pronounced when the radius of the probe beam is comparable with the length of the thermal wave in the region of their interaction. Predictions of the theories are compared with experimental results. A few parameters of the experimental setup are determined through multiparameter fitting of the theoretical curves to the experimental data. A least-squares procedure was chosen as a fitting method. The conclusion is that the calculation of the photodeflection signal in the framework of the complex ray theory is a more accurate approach than the ray deflection averaging theory or the wave one.

The Fabry–Perot interferometer has become a standard spectroscopic tool in scientific laboratories for the study of Brillouin scattering. This article examines some basic properties of the Fabry–Perot interferometer with the student or beginning user in mind in order to demonstrate why it is especially useful for this application. Single and complex Fabry–Perot systems in use for Brillouin scattering studies are discussed starting from elementary equations to show, in particular, how the half-width of the transmission function depends upon the instrumental configuration. The primary results are summarized in graphical form.

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