Absolute band gaps and waveguiding in free standing and supported phononic crystal slabs

Using the finite element method (FEM), we investigate the existence of absolute band gaps and localized modes associated with a guide in thin films of phononic crystals. Two different structures based on two-dimensional (2D) phononic crystals are considered, namely a free standing plate and a plate deposited on a silicon substrate. The 2D phononic crystal is constituted by a square array of cylindrical holes drilled in an active piezoelectric PZT5A matrix. We demonstrate the existence of absolute band gap in the band structure of the phononic crystal plate and, then, the possibility of guided modes inside a linear defect created by removing one row of air holes. In the case of the supported plate, we show the existence of an absolute forbidden band in the plate modes when the thickness of the substrate significantly exceeds the plate thickness. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.