Theoretical validation on the existence of two transverse surface waves in piezoelectric/elastic layered structures.

In this paper, we analytically study the dispersion behavior of transverse surface waves in a piezoelectric coupled solid consisting of a transversely isotropic piezoelectric ceramic layer and an isotropic metal or dielectric substrate. This study is a revisit to the stiffened Love wave propagation done previously. Closed-form dispersion equations are obtained in a very simple mathematical form for both electrically open and shorted cases. From the viewpoint of physical situation, two transverse surface waves (i.e., the stiffened Love wave and the FDLW-type wave) are separately found in a PZT-4/steel system and a PZT-4/zinc system. All the observed dispersion curves are theoretically validated through the discussion on the limit values of phase velocity using the obtained dispersion equations. Those validation and discussion give rise to a deeper understanding on the existence of transverse surface waves in such piezoelectric coupled structures. The results can be used as a benchmark for the study of the wave propagation in the piezoelectric coupled structures and are significant in the design of wave propagation in the piezoelectric coupled structures as well.