Abstract

A simple geometric interpretation of 3-D acoustooptic (AO) scattering is developed. The interpretation is unique in that it applies to arbitrary nonparaxial 3-D light and sound fields, and is developed on the basis of the well-known 2-D AO wave vector diagram. We inherently take a wave theory approach, making use of the angular plane wave spectrum concept. The method assumes weak interaction and currently applies only to isotropic AO media, as it is developed on the basis of scalar diffraction theory.

© 1991 Optical Society of America