A study of acoustic fields by holographic and nonlinear optical methods - Review

The possibilities afforded by optical methods in studies of acoustic fields are reviewed with particular reference to the following problems: visualization of the acoustic vibrations of a rough surface, remote detection of acoustic signals under conditions of strong light diffusion, and studies of molecular processes in acoustic fields. The methods discussed include holographic and speckle interferometry, wavefront-reversal interferometry, and active Raman spectroscopy. It is noted that the nonlinear optical and holographic methods used in the study of acoustic waves provide a basis for the development of novel promising methods of nondestructive testing and remote sounding.