Acousto−optic parameters of Bi2(MoO4)3

Large optical−quality single crystals of α−bismuth molybdate have been grown and the acousto−optic parameters have been measured. The material has been found to be well suited for device applications. The acousto−optic figure of merit for 633−nm light propagating normal to the b axis is isotropic to 1% and equal to 59.3×10−18 sec3/g. The material is transparent between 460 and 5300 nm. Acoustic absorption is 0.5 dB/cm at 300 MHz. A method for measuring relative signs of photoelastic coefficients in optically anisotropic materials is described. Further, a microscopic argument is presented explaining semiquantitatively the measured photoelastic coefficients.