Finite-wavelength effect on the ballistic propagation of surface acoustic waves.

Abstract

We study the phonon-focusing effects of the Rayleigh and pseudosurface waves propagating ballistically on the (100) surface of cubic crystals. Specifically, solving the wave equations for lattice displacements, we consider the finite-wavelength effect at the MHz-frequency range and for 1-cm propagation distance. The amplitude and polarization of lattice displacements at the surface associated with surface waves are sensitive to the propagation direction. Owing to this characteristic of surface waves, the focusing factor defined in the ray picture does not necessarily describe correctly the intensity of surface waves excited from a point source. The angular dependences of the calculated displacement amplitudes explain an important feature of the recent focusing experiment of Rayleigh waves, which the simple theory based on the focusing factor fails to predict.