The Acousto-Electric Effect

Abstract

A new effect, the acousto-electric effect, is predicted on the basis of theoretical calculations. This effect deals with the generation of an electric current by a traveling longitudinal acoustic wave. The time-average of the generated current is found to depend on the sound power but not on the frequency of the acoustic wave. Illustrative calculations on a metal (sodium) and a semiconductor ($n$-type germanium) indicate that the effect should be experimentally measurable. An interesting analogy with the thermoelectric effect is pointed out.