Optical Excitation of High-Amplitude Surface Waves

A new scheme for optically exciting high-amplitude Rayleigh waves is described. The interference of two high-power laser beams on a metallic surface produces periodic heating and a Rayleigh wave. The surface motions diffract the two laser beams, and ID∝ IL3. These surface motions were as high as 200 Å at 30 MHz. Rayleigh waves have also been observed at 800 MHz, using a modulated laser for excitation.