Full-field imaging of Gigahertz film bulk acoustic resonator motion.

A full-field view laser ultrasonic imaging method has been developed that measures acoustic motion at a surface without scanning. Images are recorded at normal video frame rates by using dynamic holography with photorefractive interferometric detection. By extending the approach to ultra high frequencies, an acoustic microscope has been developed that is capable of operation at Gigahertz frequency and micron length scales. Both acoustic amplitude and phase are recorded, allowing full calibration and determination of phases to within a single arbitrary constant. Results are presented of measurements at frequencies of 800-900 MHz, illustrating a multitude of normal mode behavior in electrically driven thin film acoustic resonators. Coupled with microwave electrical impedance measurements, this imaging mode provides an exceptionally fast method for evaluation of electric-to-acoustic coupling of these devices and their performance. Images of 256 x 240 pixels are recorded at 18 fps rates synchronized to obtain both in-phase and quadrature detection of the acoustic motion. Simple averaging provides sensitivity to the subnanometer level at each pixel calibrated over the image using interferometry. Identification of specific acoustic modes and their relationship to electrical impedance characteristics show the advantages and overall high speed of the technique.

Probing acoustic nonlinearity on lengths scales comparable to material grain dimensions.

The focus of this presentation is to describe our efforts at laser generation of high frequency surface acoustic waves and detection of the nonlinear contribution in the acoustic near-field of the source. Narrow band acoustic generation is accomplished by interfering two pulsed laser beams at the surface of the sample. A Michelson interferometer, that incorporates a high power microscope objective, is used to detect the acoustic disturbance. Detection near the source combined with high frequency generation (approximately 0.1 GHz) facilitates investigation of fundamental processes of harmonic generation on length scales comparable to grain size dimensions.