Evidence for complete surface wave band gap in a piezoelectric phononic crystal

A complete surface acoustic wave band gap is found experimentally in a two-dimensional square-lattice piezoelectric phononic crystal etched in lithium niobate. Propagation in the phononic crystal is studied by direct generation and detection of surface waves using interdigital transducers. The complete band gap extends from 203 to 226 MHz, in good agreement with theoretical predictions. Near the upper edge of the complete band gap, it is observed that radiation to the bulk of the substrate dominates. This observation is explained by introducing the concept of the sound line.