Investigation of acoustic waves of higher order propagating in plates of lithium niobate

This paper presents theoretical investigation of higher order acoustic plate waves propagating in single crystals of lithium niobate. The dependencies of wave velocity and electromechanical coupling coefficient of antisymmetric, symmetric, and shear horizontal modes on the parameter hf (h=plate thickness, f=operating frequency) are calculated as a function of propagation direction on X-, Y-, and Z-cut lithium niobate plates. It is found that several modes can provide values of K2 that are much greater than can be obtained with surface acoustic waves (SAWs). For example, K2 as high as 0.26 and 0.38 can be obtained from SH1 and A2 modes, respectively. This compares with a maximum value of K2=0.055 for SAWs. It is further shown that there are several crystal cut and propagation directions that can allow efficient excitation and detection of a single mode with minimal interference due to other modes.     

Scanning acoustic force microscope measurements on grating-like electrodes

Grating-like metal electrodes supplied with high- and low-frequency voltages were investigated by a Scanning Acoustic Force Microscope (SAFM). On piezoelectric LiNbO₃, these electrodes form an interdigital transducer which generates surface acoustic waves according to the charge distribution on its electrodes when excited at a transducer's passband frequency. The influence of surface deformation and of surface charges on the cantilever deflection of the SAFM in contact and non-contact mode was systematically studied. Comparing the images of the electrodes which were prepared on piezoelectric and dielectric substrates, surface deformation and charge distributions were qualitatively separated.     

One dimensional confinement of microcavity polaritons using non-piezoelectric surface acoustic waves

We demonstrate the manipulation of microcavity polaritons using tunable one-dimensional potentials formed by non-piezoelectric surface acoustic waves (SAWs). We compare the modulation of polaritons by piezoelectric and non-piezoelectric SAWs and show that the latter outperform the former for high acoustic powers. We directly show the formation of mini-Brillouin zones due to the lateral modulation with the periodicity of the SAW as well as the flattening of the lowest dispersion curve due to polariton confinement, showing the formation of polariton wires.     

Characteristics of fundamental acoustic wave modes in thin piezoelectric plates

The characteristics of the three lowest order plate waves (A(0), S(0), and SH(0)) propagating in piezoelectric plates whose thickness h is much less than the acoustic wavelength lambda are theoretically analyzed. It is found that these waves can provide much higher values of electromechanical coupling coefficient K(2) and lower values of temperature coefficient of delay (TCD) than is possible with surface acoustic waves (SAWs). For example, in 30Y-X lithium niobate, the SH(0) mode has K(2)=0.46 and TCD=55 ppm/degrees C. The corresponding values for SAW in the widely used, strong coupling material of 128Y-X lithium niobate are K(2)=0.053 and TCD=75 ppm/degrees C. Another important advantage of plate waves is that, unlike the case of SAWs, they can operate satisfactorily in contact with a liquid medium, thus making possible their use in liquid phase sensors.     

Diffractive acoustic elements for laser ultrasonics

Laser ultrasonics is an effective means of generating surface acoustic waves (SAWs). We have shown in previous publications how computer-generated holograms (CGHs) can be used to project optical distributions onto the sample surface. These can be used to control both the frequency content and the spatial distribution of the resulting ultrasound field. In this paper the concept is extended further to produce distributions which themselves act as diffractive acoustic elements (DAEs) for SAWs. It is demonstrated how frequency suppression, multiple foci, and frequency selective focusing of Rayleigh waves may be achieved with these elements. Agreement between the distributions predicted from the designs and those actually measured is excellent.     

Stern-Gerlach spin filter using surface acoustic waves

We propose the ambipolar carrier transport by surface acoustic waves (SAWs) in a semiconductor quantum well (QW) for the realization of the Stern-Gerlach (SG) experiment in the solid phase. The well-defined and very low carrier velocity in the moving SAW field leads to a large deflection angle and thus to efficient spin separation, even for the weak field gradients and short (μm-long) interaction lengths that can be produced by micromagnets. The feasibility of a SG spin filter is discussed for different QW materials.     

Convective amplification of parametrically generated acoustic wave in a piezoelectric semiconductor plasma

Using hydrodynamic model of semiconductor plasmas and coupled-mode theory of interacting waves, we have analytically investigated parametric interaction in a magnetised piezoelectric semiconductor plasma in non-relativistic domain. The temperature dependence of momentum transfer collision frequency of electrons due to their heating by the pump is assumed to induce nonlinearity in the medium. We have derived a dispersion relation which finally gives four unstable acoustic modes; two forward amplifying modes and two backscattered attenuating modes. We have also obtained an expression for the critical pump amplitude ( ) at and around which gains and phase velocities of amplifying acoustic modes become least dependent on the pump amplitude and static magnetic field . The required can be readily obtained from a pulsed 10.6 μm CO₂ laser. The magnetic field is found to shift the critical point towards lower pump amplitudes. Received 5 September 2000 and Received in final form 5 March 2001     

Numerical simulation of laser-generated surface acoustic waves in the transparent coating on a substrate by the finite element method

The optimum finite element model in the system consisting of a transparent coating and an opaque substrate is established based on the analysis of two important parameters: meshing size and time step, and the stability of solution. Taking into account the temperature dependence of material properties, the transient temperature and temperature gradient field are obtained. According to the thermoelastic theory, this temperature gradient field can be taken as a buried bulk source to generate ultrasonic wave. The surface acoustic waves (SAWs) are obtained. The influence of the coating thickness on the SAWs is analyzed. The model provides a useful tool for the determination of modes which are generated by a laser source in transparent coating on opaque substrate. The surface skimming longitudinal wave exists for the multiple oscillations and it charges from unipolar waveforms to dipolar.     

Transmission of surface acoustic waves through the interface based on discontinuity of electrical boundary conditions on surface of potassium niobate

This paper presents theoretical investigation of the propagation of surface acoustic waves (SAWs) across the boundary between metallized (electrically shorted) and unmetallized (electrically open) regions on the surface of potassium niobate crystals. Potassium niobate is a very strong piezoelectric material and has the interesting property that only one type of SAW, namely a Rayleigh wave, can exist on unmetallized surface, where as two types of SAWs, namely Rayleigh and Bleustein-Gulyaev (BG), can exist on a metallized surface. Analysis shows that the Rayleigh wave propagates through the interface with very little change in amplitude or polarization. On the other hand, almost total reflection of the BG wave is expected. Details of the theoretical analysis and calculated results will be presented.     

Transport of magnetic vortices by surface acoustic waves

In a thin film of superconducting Y Ba₂Cu₃O₇ the impact of surface acoustic waves (SAWs) traveling on the piezoelectric substrate is investigated. A pronounced interaction between the ultrasonic waves and the vortex system in the type II superconductor is observed. The occurrence of a SAW-induced dc voltage perpendicular to the sound path is interpreted as dragging of vortices by the piezoacoustic SAW, which acts as a conveyor for the flux quanta. The antisymmetry of this voltage with respect to the magnetic field directly evidences the induced, directed flux motion. This dynamic manipulation of vortices can be seen as an important step towards flux-based electronic devices.     

Negative refraction imaging of solid acoustic waves by two-dimensional three-component phononic crystal

By using of the multiple scattering methods, we study the negative refraction imaging effect of solid acoustic waves by two-dimensional three-component phononic crystals composed of coated solid inclusions placed in solid matrix. We show that localized resonance mechanism brings on a group of flat single-mode bands in low-frequency region, which provides two equivalent frequency surfaces (EFS) close to circular. The two constant frequency surfaces correspond to two Bloch modes, a right-handed and a left-handed, whose leading mode are respectively transverse (T) and longitudinal (L) modes. The negative refraction behaviors of the two kinds of modes have been demonstrated by simulation of a Gaussian beam through a finite system. High-quality far-field imaging by a planar lens for transverse or longitudinal waves has been realized separately. This three-component phononic crystal may thus serve as a mode selector in negative refraction imaging of solid acoustic waves.     

环形ZnO薄膜谐振器的横模抑制与测试分析

采用Tiersten方程研究了环形ZnO薄膜谐振器中横模寄生问题, 获得了环(圆)形薄膜谐振器的横模振动方程, 求得横模位移场解和频率色散方程; 然后采用电磁学模式合成理论进行分析, 发现环形薄膜谐振器横模频率与环形电极的内外径之比a/b有关, 振动模式可由圆形薄膜谐振器横模模式合成得到, 通过控制a/b能够抑制横模模式数和调控基膜频率. 采用外差激光干涉仪和网络矢量分析仪测量并比较了同批次的圆形和环形薄膜谐振器的上电极横模振动图样和电阻抗曲线. 振动图样显示环形薄膜谐振器振动模式可由半径为a和半径为b的圆形薄膜谐振器振动模式合成, 仅存在节圆数大于0的横模振动, 等于0的横模模式被抑制; 电阻抗曲线显示当a/b为0.436时, 环形薄膜谐振器的基频(约1217 MHz)和圆形的(0, 1)模式频率相等. 测量数据验证了模式合成理论的分析结果正确性, 为薄膜谐振器的横模抑制研究提供了理论基础和新方法.     

Incredible negative values of effective electromechanical coupling coefficient for surface acoustic waves in piezoelectrics

The extraordinary case of increase in velocity of surface acoustic waves (SAW) caused by electrical shorting of the surface of the superstrong piezoelectric crystal potassium niobate, KNbO3, is numerically found. The explanation of this effect is based on considering SAWs as coupled Rayleigh and Bleustein-Gulyaev modes. A general procedure of approximate decoupling of the modes is suggested for piezoelectric crystals of arbitrary anisotropy. The effect under study takes place when the phase velocity of uncoupled sagittally polarized Rayleigh waves is intermediate between the phase velocities of uncoupled shear-horizontal Bleustein Gulyaev waves at the free and metallized surfaces. In this case, the metallization of the surface by an infinitely thin layer may cause a crossover of the velocity curves of the uncoupled waves. The presence of the mode coupling results in splitting of the curves with transition from one uncoupled branch to the other. This transition is responsible for the increase in SAW velocity, which appears to be greater than its common decrease produced by electrical shorting of the substrate surface.     

In situ characterisation of thin-film formation in molecular low-temperature plasmas

Thin films can be formed in low-temperature plasma in two ways: as a result of material modification usually in a discharge of non-organic gas and in the course of a deposition process in a discharge of organic vapour. Thin-film formation requires in situ control of plasma processing in order to get information on the growth mechanisms and control the deposition process. Here are shown some effective in situ techniques of thin-film characterisation: various kinds of infrared spectroscopy (infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy, attenuated total reflection spectroscopy, etc.), ellipsometry and microgravimetry. We discuss the application of these methods to polymer modification as well as plasma polymerisation. The applied techniques give very good spatial resolution, up to a few nm. The limitations of method or equipment on time resolution can be compensated by the appropriate experimental arrangement. Received: 4 October 2000 / Accepted: 12 December 2000 / Published online: 3 April 2001     

Nondestructive determination of film thickness with laser-induced surface acoustic waves

The application of surface acoustic waves(SAWs) for thickness measurement is presented. By studying the impact of film thickness h on the dispersion phenomenon of surface acoustic waves, a method for thickness determination based on theoretical dispersion curve v( fh) and experimental dispersion curve v( f) is developed. The method provides a series of thickness values at different frequencies f, and the mean value is considered as the final result of the measurement. The thicknesses of six interconnect films are determined by SAWs, and the results are compared with the manufacturer's data.The relative differences are in the range from 0.4% to 2.18%, which indicates that the surface acoustic wave technique is reliable and accurate in the nondestructive thickness determination for films. This method can be generally used for fast and direct determination of film thickness.     

Development of acousto-optic devices based on transformation of acoustic waves

One of practical methods for generating shear waves in paratellurite crystals has been investigated. Slow shear waves are excited during transformation of longitudinal modes into shear ones, which occurs during acoustic reflection from a crystal-vacuum free interface.     

Stabilization mechanisms of longitudinal pulsations in rotating detonation combustors

This work investigates the stabilization mechanisms of two types of longitudinal pulsations in rotating detonation combustors. The first type is linked to operating modes with two counter-rotating waves in combustors with open outlets and appears as a minor peak in the pressure spectrum. The second type is observed as pulsed operation of the combustor when the outlet is restricted. Different combustor lengths are studied and the susceptibility to these longitudinal pulsations is investigated. Pressure measurements along the length of the combustor and around the perimeter are used to identify the operating mode and to describe the propagation and stabilization mechanisms of the two longitudinal modes. The results show that both modes are linked to the longitudinal acoustic resonance of the combustor. The length-to-perimeter ratio and the mass flux are identified as the driving parameters for the existence of these longitudinal modes. The first mode is shown to be an acoustic resonance supported by the intersections of counter-rotating waves. The second mode is controlled by the reflection of an explosion induced shock wave propagating through a high velocity bulk flow.     

A two-dimensional analysis of surface acoustic waves in finite elastic plates with eigensolutions

It is generally known that surface acoustic waves, or Rayleigh waves, have different mode shapes in infinite plates. To be precise, there are both exponentially decaying and growing components in plates appearing in pairs, representing symmetric and antisymmentric modes in a plate. As the plate thickness increases, the combined modes will approach the Rayleigh mode in a semi-infinite solid, exhibiting surface acoustic wave deformation and velocity. In this study, the two-dimensional theory for surface acoustic waves in finite plates is extended to include the exponentially growing modes in the expansion function. With these extra equations, we study the surface acoustic waves in a plate with different thickness to examine the coupling of the exponentially decaying and growing modes. It is found that for small thickness, the two groups of waves are strongly coupled, showing the significance of including the effect of thickness in analysis. As the thickness increases to certain values, such as more than five wavelengths, the exponentially decaying modes alone will be able to predict vibrations of surface acoustic wave modes accurately, thus simplifying the equations and solutions significantly. Supported by Qianjiang River Fund established by Zhejiang Provincial Government and Ningbo University and administered by Ningbo University and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 10572065)     

Numerical study on scanning radiation acoustic field in formations generated from a borehole

The directivity of acoustic transducers used in conventional acoustic logging tools is uncontrollable[1,2], which inevitably affects investigation depth and resolution. At present, deep and wide range of investigation in petroleum exploration is urgently re- quired. It is important to improve the exploration capability to find more complex and fine reservoirs[3], for which the direction of the radiated acoustic energy is a direct factor. Acoustic field in the formations generated by the source…     

Influence of ultrasonic surface acoustic waves. on local friction studied by lateral force microscopy

We studied dynamic friction phenomena introduced by ultrasonic surface acoustic waves using a scanning force microscope in the lateral force mode and a scanning acoustic force microscope. An effect of friction reduction was found when applying surface acoustic waves to the micro-mechanical tip-sample contact. Employing standing acoustic wave fields, the wave amplitude dependent friction variation can be visualized within a microscopic area. At higher wave amplitudes, a regime was found where friction vanishes completely. This behavior is explained by the mechanical diode effect, where the tip's rest position is shifted away from the surface in response to ultrasonic waves.