Coherent optical ultrasound detection with rare-earth ion dopants

TL;DR

This paper presents a novel optical ultrasound detection method using spectral holes in rare-earth ion doped solids, combining theoretical and experimental insights to achieve high sensitivity and large étendue.

Contribution

It introduces a new spectral hole-based detection technique that enhances ultrasound sensing capabilities in cryogenic rare-earth ion doped materials.

Findings

Demonstrated phase to amplitude modulation conversion using spectral holes

Achieved high sensitivity with moderate absorption contrast

Validated the method through both theoretical and experimental results

Abstract

We describe theoretical and experimental demonstration for optical detection of ultrasound using a spectral hole engraved in cryogenically cooled rare-earth ion doped solids. Our method utilizes the dispersion effects due to the spectral hole to perform phase to amplitude modulation conversion. Like previous approaches using spectral holes it has the advantage of detection with large \'etendue. The method also has the benefit that high sensitivity can be obtained with moderate absorption contrast for the spectral holes.