Nonlinear effects in multifrequency acoustooptic diffraction

A perturbation formulation is developed for the anslysis of acoustooptic diffraction with multiple acoustic waves at different frequencies. The rigorous modal theory (characteristic wave theory) and perturbation method are used for the quantitative evaluation of nonlinear effects occurring in acoustooptic spectrum analysis and optical information processing. Various multifrequency diffraction effects were investigated by using rigorous modal approach and approximate perturbation approach. Sample calculations are presented for various regimes of diffraction. A comparison of perturbation approach, coupled wave approach, and rigorous modal approach is made.