Beschreibung:
<jats:p>This paper reviews the theory of acousto-optic interactions. From a qualitative approach the acousto-optic interactions can be explained from the scattering of the phonons. By examining the conservation of momentum and energy in the particle interactions, the basic relations of the acousto-optic interaction can be obtained. From the rigorous wave theory approach, the details of the acousto-optic interactions are obtained. Acousto-optic interactions are generally divided into two dominant regions, the Raman-Nath and the Bragg regions and their differences will be discussed. Acousto-optic interactions with a sound beam generated by a transducer array will also be discussed. The basic theory of acousto-optic interactions presented in this paper is the basis for applications in acoustic microscopy and acoustic imaging.</jats:p>