title: Ultrafast acousto-optic mode conversion in optically birefringent ferroelectrics.
abstract: The ability to generate efficient giga-terahertz coherent acoustic phonons with femtosecond laser makes acousto-optics a promising candidate for ultrafast light processing, which faces electronic device limits intrinsic to complementary metal oxide semiconductor technology. Modern acousto-optic devices, including optical mode conversion process between ordinary and extraordinary light waves (and vice versa), remain limited to the megahertz range. Here, using coherent acoustic waves generated at tens of gigahertz frequency by a femtosecond laser pulse, we reveal the mode conversion process and show its efficiency in ferroelectric materials such as BiFeO3 and LiNbO3. Further to the experimental evidence, we provide a complete theoretical support to this all-optical ultrafast mechanism mediated by acousto-optic interaction. By allowing the manipulation of light polarization with gigahertz coherent acoustic phonons, our results provide a novel route for the development of next-generation photonic-based devices and highlight new capabilities in using ferroelectrics in modern photonics.
authors: Institut des Molécules et Matériaux du Mans, UMR CNRS 6283, Université du Maine, Av O. Messiaen, 72085 Le Mans, France.
authors: Mariusz
authors: M
authors: Lejman
authors: Institut des Molécules et Matériaux du Mans, UMR CNRS 6283, Université du Maine, Av O. Messiaen, 72085 Le Mans, France.
authors: Gwenaelle
authors: G
authors: Vaudel
authors: Laboratoire Structures, Propriétés et Modélisation des Solides, CentraleSupélec, UMR CNRS 8580, Université Paris-Saclay, 92295 Châtenay-Malabry, France.
authors: Ingrid C
authors: IC
authors: Infante
authors: Institut des Molécules et Matériaux du Mans, UMR CNRS 6283, Université du Maine, Av O. Messiaen, 72085 Le Mans, France.
authors: Ievgeniia
authors: I
authors: Chaban
authors: Institut des Molécules et Matériaux du Mans, UMR CNRS 6283, Université du Maine, Av O. Messiaen, 72085 Le Mans, France.
authors: Thomas
authors: T
authors: Pezeril
authors: Institut des Molécules et Matériaux du Mans, UMR CNRS 6283, Université du Maine, Av O. Messiaen, 72085 Le Mans, France.
authors: Mathieu
authors: M
authors: Edely
authors: Materials Research and Technology Department, Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology, 41 Rue du Brill, L-4422 Belvaux, Luxembourg.|SPEC, CEA, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, CEA Saclay, 91191 Gif sur Yvette, France.
authors: Guillaume F
authors: GF
authors: Nataf
authors: Materials Research and Technology Department, Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology, 41 Rue du Brill, L-4422 Belvaux, Luxembourg.
authors: Mael
authors: M
authors: Guennou
authors: Materials Research and Technology Department, Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology, 41 Rue du Brill, L-4422 Belvaux, Luxembourg.|Physics and Materials Science Research Unit, University of Luxembourg, 41 Rue du Brill, L-4422 Belvaux, Luxembourg.
authors: Jens
authors: J
authors: Kreisel
authors: Laboratoire d'Acoustique de l'Université du Maine, UMR CNRS 6613, Université du Maine, 72085 Le Mans, France.
authors: Vitalyi E
authors: VE
authors: Gusev
authors: Laboratoire Structures, Propriétés et Modélisation des Solides, CentraleSupélec, UMR CNRS 8580, Université Paris-Saclay, 92295 Châtenay-Malabry, France.
authors: Brahim
authors: B
authors: Dkhil
authors: Institut des Molécules et Matériaux du Mans, UMR CNRS 6283, Université du Maine, Av O. Messiaen, 72085 Le Mans, France.
authors: Pascal
authors: 0000-0002-5398-1610
authors: P
authors: Ruello