Elastic Wave Propagation Characteristics at Chiral Interfaces

Abstract

Propagation characteristics of elastic waves in isotropic, noncentrosymmetric (chiral) media are described herein by the displacement field and an independent rotation vector. Six different wavenumbers are eigenvalues for elastic waves propagating in chiral (acoustically active) media. Two corresponding eigenfunctions are longitudinally polarized and the remaining four represent circularly polarized waves. Reflection and transmission characteristics of elastic waves normally impinging upon chiral-chiral interfaces are of primary concern in this study. Results illustrate that appropriate boundary conditions for achiral-chiral interfaces can be found theoretically and, hence, scattering characteristics at achiral-chiral interfaces can be determined uniquely. Based on results obtained, it will be possible to obtain reflection and transmission characteristics of chiral slabs and to tailor acoustically active materials in the near future.