An Investigation of Subharmonic Generation in an Ultrasonic Resonant Cavity

摘要

The generation of subharmonics of the driver frequency in an ultrasonic resonant cavity was investigated by means of both optical and electronic techniques. The subharmonics are found to be generated when the cavity is in resonance at the driver frequency. The frequencies of the subharmonics were observed to be integral sub-multiples of the driver frequency. An important result is that is not necessary for the cavity to be in resonance at the subharmonic frequency for the subharmonic to be generated. The relationship between this phenomenon and other phenomena, such as laser action, parametric amplification, and optical power limitation, is pointed out. (Author)