DIFFRACTION OF ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES BY ACOUSTIC WAVES IN CONDUCTING CRYSTALS.

Study is made of the diffraction of light by electron waves related to the propagation of acoustic waves in piezoelectric semiconductors. The strength of the direct scattering of light by acoustic waves (due to a change in the permittivity) is compared with the strength of the scattering by electron waves. It is found that the scattering of light by electron waves is especially important in the infrared region. It is suggested that optical experiments could be used to study separately the behavior of electron bunches and of acoustic waves in acoustoelectric effects in piezoelectric semiconductors.