We present an improved detection scheme for a two-wave mixing interferometer with a Bi12SiO20 crystal. The proposed detection scheme allows quasi-balanced detection of ultrasonic signals whereby electrical disturbances are suppressed. Quasi-balancing is achieved by changing the polarity of the high voltage at the photorefractive crystal, leading to an inversion of the optical interference signal, in combination with inversion of the detector signal using a signal inverter before the data acquisition device. The polarity of the high voltage is changed by utilizing an H-bridge consisting of five high-voltage relays. Microcontrollers are used to synchronize the reversion of the high voltage at the photorefractive crystal and the inversion of the measured signals. We demonstrate remote measurement of ultrasonic waves and shown that electrical disturbances are suppressed using the quasi-balanced mode.
Keywords: interferometer; laser ultrasound; photoacoustic imaging; quasi-balanced detection; two-wave mixing.