X-ray Bragg diffraction from langasite crystal modulated by surface acoustic wave

X-ray diffraction on the X cut of a langasite crystal (La3Ga5SiO14) modulated by a Λ=12 μm Rayleigh surface acoustic wave (SAW) has been studied at the ESRF synchrotron radiation source. Due to the sinusoidal modulation of the crystal lattice involved by the SAW diffraction satellites appear on the rocking curve, with their number, angular positions, and intensities depending on the amplitude and wavelength of the ultrasonic superlattice. Full extinction of a specific satellite could be performed by adjusting the acoustic amplitude. It is shown that x-ray diffraction can be used to study surface acoustic wave field distributions in crystals.