Laser picosecond acoustics in isotropic and anisotropic materials

We present experimental results concerning the laser generation of picosecond acoustic pulses and their propagation in isotropic and anisotropic materials. We make use of a conventional reflectance detection technique as well as interferometric detection to probe the real and imaginary changes in reflectance. We also demonstrate the detection of transverse acoustic waves by mode conversion at an interface between an isotropic polycrystalline film and an anisotropic substrate.