Stoneley wave at the interface of elastic-nematic elastomer half spaces

Abstract

In this paper the Stoneley wave propagation along the interface of the elastic-nematic elastomer half spaces is investigated. Firstly, the characteristic equation of the Stoneley wave along the interface is obtained. Then the influence of the distinct parameters of nematic elastomers on the propagation characteristic of the Stoneley wave are discussed in detail. The particle traces of the Stoneley wave in both sides are plotted, and the propagation characteristic of the waves across the interface of anisotropic viscoelastic-isotropic elastic half spaces are clarified. The results show that the Stoneley wave displays particular properties that are different from those at the liquid-solid or (visco)elastic-(visco)elastic solid interfaces, which is related to the dynamic soft elasticity of the nematic elastomer. There exists a trigger frequency above which the Stoneley wave starts to form. This work provides a potential strategy for the intelligent tuning of interface waves based on nematic elastomers.