Acoustic anisotropy of AgGaGe3Se8 crystals and their acoustooptic applications

Abstract

Abstract.We present the studies of anisotropy of acoustic wave (AW) propagation in AgGaGe 3 Se 8 crystals. Complete matrices of mechanical stiffness and compliance coefficients are determined basing on the experimental values of AW velocities. Cross sections of AW velocity surfaces by the principal crystallographic planes are obtained. We have found that the velocities of quasi-transverse and quasilongitudinal AWs propagating in the AgGaGe 3 Se 8 crystals can be very low, thus facilitating potentially high acoustooptic figures of merit.

Faraday effect in AgGaGe3Se8 crystals

“…The studies of acoustic anisotropy in the AgGaGe 3 Se 8 crystals [8] have given some reasons to believe that AgGaGe 3 Se 8 can turn out to be one of the best acoustooptic materials for the infrared spectral range. At the same time, the other optical properties of AgGaGe 3 Se 8 are studied in a much less detail.…”