Surface acoustic waves in two-dimensional periodic elastic structures

Abstract

Acoustic waves localized at the surface of two-dimensional (2D) periodic elastic structures, or 2D phononic crystals, are studied theoretically by taking account of the elastic anisotropy of constituent materials. The surface considered is perpendicular to the axis of a periodic array of cylinders embedded in a background material. The dispersion relations of the surface modes are calculated for circular cylinders of AlAs which form a square lattice in a GaAs matrix. The folding and anisotropy of the surface wave branches, as well as the existence of pseudosurface waves, are found. The stop band distributions of the surface, pseudosurface, and bulk waves are plotted in a form relevant for comparison with ultrasound imaging experiments.