Modeling of noncollinear multifrequency acoustooptic interaction in guided-wave Bragg cells

We present an original detailed theoretical modeling of guided-wave noncollinear acoustooptic (AO) interaction produced by a multifrequency surface acoustic wave (SAW) in planar guided-wave structures. The modeling of the multifrequency AO interaction is based on a modified version of the coupled-mode theory. The first- and third-order diffraction efficiency and optimum dynamic range of the Bragg cell have been calculated as a function of acoustic power, acoustic radiofrequency, and optical waveguide parameters in Y-cut Ti:LiNbO/sub 3/ planar waveguides. Polynomial approximations, describing the first and third order diffraction efficiency versus normalized acoustic power in the cases of two- and three-frequency interactions, are derived and presented for the first time for arbitrarily large RF signals.