No abstract

We show theoretically that by combining two or more finite superlattices, it is possible to realize an omnidirectional acoustic mirror that prevents propagation of acoustic waves over a wide range of frequencies. An appropriate choice of the elastic parameters in the superlattices enables us to propose a structure in which any incident wave launched from any type of substrate (or vacuum) falls inside a minigap of the coupled SLs and therefore undergoes a total reflection.

The propagation of acoustic waves of shear horizontal polarization in infinite and semi-infinite superlattices made of two piezoelectric media is studied within a Green's function method. Localized modes induced by a free surface of the superlattice or a superlattice/substrate interface are investigated theoretically. These modes appear as well-defined peaks of the total density of states inside the minigaps of the superlattice. The spatial localization of the different modes is studied by means of the local density of states. The surface of the superlattice and the superlattice/substrate interface are considered to be either metallized or nonmetallized. We show the possibility of the existence of interface modes, which are without analogue in the case of the interface between two homogeneous media ͑the so-called Maerfeld-Tournois modes͒. We also generalize to piezoelectric superlattices a rule about the existence and number of surface states, namely when one considers two semi-infinite superlattices together obtained by the cleavage of an infinite superlattice, one always has as many localized surface modes as minigaps, for any value of the wave vector k ʈ ͑parallel to the interfaces͒. Specific applications of these results are given for CdS-ZnO superlattices with a free surface or in contact with a BeO substrate.