Second-harmonic generation of two-dimensional elastic wave propagation in an infinite layered structure with nonlinear spring-type interfaces

The two-dimensional elastic wave propagation in an infinite layered structure with nonlinear interlayer interfaces is analyzed theoretically to investigate the second-harmonic generation due to interfacial nonlinearity. The structure consists of identical isotropic linear elastic layers that are bonded to each other by spring-type interfaces possessing identical linear normal and shear stiffnesses but different quadratic nonlinearity parameters. Explicit analytical expressions are derived for the second-harmonic amplitudes when a single monochromatic Bloch mode propagates in the structure in arbitrary directions by applying the transfer-matrix approach and the Bloch theorem to the governing equations linearized by a perturbation method. The second-harmonic generation by a single nonlinear interface and by multiple consecutive nonlinear interfaces are shown to be profoundly influenced by the band structure of the layered structure, the fundamental Bloch wave mode, and its propagation direction. In particular, the second harmonics generated at multiple consecutive interfaces are found to grow cumulatively with the propagation distance when the phase matching occurs between the Bloch modes at the fundamental and double frequencies.