Sensitive Elements of Optical-Acoustic Receivers—A Review

Abstract— Optical-acoustic receivers (OARs) can be used in all areas of applied optics that require precision measurements of electromagnetic radiation power. They are a subset of ‘‘full spectrum’’ thermal volumetric receivers, have a constant spectral sensitivity in a very wide range (0.3–10000 micrometers) and can measure both constant flows of electromagnetic radiation with a power of 10\({}^{-11}\) W with a dynamic range of 80 dB, and femtosecond terawatt laser pulses. The metrological parameters of OAR are mainly determined by the design of the sensitive elements that carry out the acoustomechanical conversion. The article analyses approaches for increasing the sensitivity of classic membrane sensitive elements by using new materials, optimizing geometry, corrugation and edge perforation, as well as the use of cantilevers as new highly sensitive elements of pressure sensors. The ultimate capabilities of both classic and novel methods for precision measurements of the OAR sensitive element deformation caused by the pressure of the expanding gas are presented.