Elasto-optic effect anisotropy in gallium phosphide crystals

Elasto-optic coefficients of gallium phosphide (GaP) crystals were calculated on the basis of their piezo-optic and elastic coefficients. Surfaces of the spatial distribution of piezo- and elasto-optic effects in these crystals were built. The maxima of the surfaces of the elasto-optic effect and the geometries of acousto-optic interaction that correspond to these maxima were found. Ratios that describe the rotation of optical indicatrix, depending on direction of the action of uniaxial pressure or deformation on cubic crystal, were recorded. It was shown that such rotations induced by mechanical stress do not exceed 1.5 degrees in GaP, but in some cubic crystals they can reach tens of degrees. (C) 2015 Optical Society of America