On the modeling of guided waves in plates with thin superconducting layers

Abstract

Investigation of in-situ mechanical behavior and properties of thin superconducting layers and tapes has been very limited. However, it is well known that the properties are highly dependent on the manufacturing processes, external and internal stress fields, interface properties and porosity, to name a few. In order to accurately model these different effects, it is necesary to understand the basic problem of guided wave propagation in three-layered tapes. The tapes may consist of either an elastic isotropic metallic core coated with thin anisotropic oxide layers or a thin oxide layer sandwiched between two metallic layers. In this paper, a model study of the two three-layered systems is presented. Exact and approximate dispersion relations for guided waves in the plates are calculated. The approximate dispersion relations are obtained by replacing the thin oxide layers by effective boundary conditions. Since the metallic layers are isotropic, the approximate dispersion relations can be obtained analytically. Examples of dispersion curves are given for nickel/YBCO and silver/BSCCO systems. Some distinctive features are shown and comparisons between the exact and approximate dispersion curves are made.