PIEZOELECTRIC WAVE-DISPERSION CURVES FOR INFINITE ANISOTROPIC PLATES

Plane-wave propagation in an infinite plate is analyzed by the linear three-dimensional theory of piezoelectricity. The general dispersion r elation, valid for any degree of anisotropy and for the commonly appli cable electrical boundary conditions, is formulated. The general equat ion yielding the surface wave velocities is also derived. A numerical algorithm, potentially applicable to piezoelectric plates of any mater ial symmetry, is developed. Results are obtained for particular crysta l cuts of practical interest and waves propagating in the coordinate d irections. Comparison with corresponding predictions by the purely ela stic theory allows assessment of the effect of electromechanical coupl ing as well as of the accuracy of the computed dispersion relationship s.