Interference of non-aligned Airy diffraction patterns in transmission acoustic microscopy images of crystals

Abstract

This paper describes interference effects present in narrow band transmission acoustic microscopy images of crystals that arise from the superposition of pairs of non-aligned but symmetry equivalent Airy diffraction patterns. In the cases we examine, these Airy patterns are associated with folded portions of the slow transverse (ST) sheet of the acoustic wave surface of cubic crystals intersecting in the {110} symmetry planes. Each set of Airy fringes is inclined in the (001) observation plane to its overlapping counterpart, giving rise to curved Moiré-like fringes. Also, because of tilting of the two portions of the wave surface in opposite directions out of the (001) plane, each composite Airy fringe breaks up along its length into a large number of narrow, regularly spaced fringes, in a manner akin to wedge diffraction. We present calculations of these effects in GaAs and Ge, based on the elastodynamic Green's function, , for the infinitely extended anisotropic elastic continuum. A measured time-gated diffraction image is presented for GaAs, which is in good agreement with calculation.