Laser-induced thermoelastic excitation of Scholte waves

Abstract

The results of experiments on an all-optical generation and detection of Scholte waves are reported. The Scholte wave was excited thermoelastically by pulsed laser action on mercury/plexiglas or mercury/fused silica interfaces and was subsequently detected by the technique of light beam deflection. Both the shape of the Scholte pulse in the time domain and its measured velocity of propagation are in line with theoretical predictions.