Band gap manipulation of viscoelastic functionally graded phononic crystal

In this study, band gaps of SH-waves (horizontally polarized shear waves) propagating in a thermal-sensitive viscoelastic matrix are investigated. Metallic films acting as heat sources are periodically embedded into the matrix, which establishes a periodically inhomogeneous thermal field. The homogenous matrix is therefore transformed into functionally gradient phononic crystals (PCs). A three-parameter solid model is employed to describe the viscoelasticity of the present matrix. By virtue of a transfer matrix method incorporated within a laminated model, the dispersion equation of SH-waves is finally obtained, from which the band gaps are determined. The transmission spectra of a finite-periodic PC are also solved to validate the band gaps. In numerical examples, the influences of incident angles of SH-waves and viscoelasticity of matrix on band gaps are discussed first. Then the research focuses on the means to tune the band gaps by manipulating the inputted powers of heat sources. Numerical examples demonstrate that such a strategy is effective and convenient in tuning the positions and widths of band gaps. A viscous parameter, i.e., the ratio of initial-state to final-state storage moduli, significantly affects the band locations and bandwidths, while the locations of low-order band gaps hardly move with the incident angle of SH-waves. Band gaps of several orders are expected to locate in lower-frequency domain, and the total bandwidth becomes larger as the inputted heat flux increases. This paper lays theoretical foundation to manufacture viscoelastic functionally graded PCs which can be used in frequency-selective devices.