Controlling Bragg gaps induced by electric boundary conditions in phononic piezoelectric plates

A Phononic Crystal (PC), constituted of a homogeneous piezoelectric plate covered by a 1D periodic arrangement of thin metallic electrodes on both surfaces, is studied. The application of Electric Boundary Conditions (EBCs) on the electrodes enables the propagation control of the ultrasonic guided waves in the PC. The band structure is investigated for different EBCs: the electrodes are either at a floating potential or they are alternately short-circuited and at a floating potential. In the latter case, a Bragg gap appears for the fundamental S-0 guided Lamb mode. These results are verified experimentally and compared to finite element calculations. A physical interpretation is also given, relying on the symmetry of the electric potential fields associated with these guided modes. (C) 2016 AIP Publishing LLC.