Light Diffraction Efficiency of Acoustic Surface Waves

Measurements of the angular dependence of the efficiency of light diffraction by acoustic surface waves on crystalline quartz are presented. From these and other measurements on LiNbO(3) it is concluded that the largest diffraction efficiencies obtainable at present from acoustic surface waves are on the order of a few percent except in the special configuration where Bragg diffraction can be utilized. The significance of these measurements with respect to the operation of practical light deflection devices is discussed.