Work

Young’s double-slit experiment with anisotropic GHz surface acoustic waves on gallium arsenide

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: We demonstrate Young's double-slit experiment with GHz surface acoustic waves (SAWs) on gallium arsenide (GaAs). This experiment differs from the well-known optical case due to the anisotropy of SAW propagation on GaAs. We generate SAWs using an interdigital transducer (IDT), and the double-slit is realized by focused ion beam-milled grooves that block the SAWs. We measure the out-of-plane SAW displacement with an optical scanning interferometer and apply a spatial Fourier filtering technique, enabling the observation of the two-slit interference pattern, as well as higher-order diffraction and near-field interference effects. We find reasonable agreement between the measured far-field interference pattern and anisotropic Huygens-Fresnel simulations based on previously reported angle-dependent SAW velocities on GaAs.

Source: Optics Letters

DOI: 10.1364/ol.573360

Authors: Thomas Steenbergen, Matteo Fisicaro, Krystian Czerniak, Matthijs Rog, Kaveh Lahabi, Wolfgang Löffler

Institution: Leiden University

Language: English

Topic: Acoustic Wave Resonator Technologies

Subfield: Biomedical Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funders: Ministerie van Economische Zaken, Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek, Horizon 2020 Framework Programme

Awards: Quantum Acoustics, G2677889063, G7743386032