Scattering of shear horizontal piezoelectric waves in piezocomposite media

The theory of shear horizontal wave scattering processes in layered piezoel ectric composites is discussed in terms of a recursive system of equations involving the piezoelectric impedance. Piezoelectric materials of hexagonal 6 mm symmetry are considered. The behavior of an incident shear horizontal piezoelectric wave is analyzed as a function of the material properties, l ayer thicknesses, and frequency (omega). By an appropriate choice of the ma terials and layer thicknesses, frequencies at which almost all energy is tr ansmitted can be found, optimizing the properties of the system for ultraso und transducers. This behavior is also dependent on the incident angle. Fur thermore, most laminated materials are bonded using polymers. We show that adding these polymers hampers the response of the piezoelectric laminated s ystem, localizing the transmission at particular incident angles. Thus, sha rp spikes of ultrasonic pulses could be generated with these laminated stru ctures. (C) 2001 American Institute of Physics.