Frequency bandwidth and potential resolution of optical modulators exploiting a multi-phonon light scattering in crystals

We consider physical conditions for realizing the Bragg regime of one-, two-, and three-phonon scattering of light in optically anisotropic crystalline materials. The exact and closed analytical models for describing these regimes are developed and solved. The performed analysis takes into account an opportunity of realizing 100% efficiency of light scattering in these regimes. Possible applications lie in the fields of creating large-aperture modulators of light. In connection with this, the problems of optimizing the frequency bandwidths and potential resolution of such modulators are studied. Reasonable attention is paid to the contribution of acoustic anisotropy to frequency bandwidth. The analytical results are illustrated by computer simulations and compared with proof-of-principle experimental data related to a multi-phonon light scattering in a tellurium dioxide crystal.