Experimental demonstration of surface acoustic wave mode conversion using piezoelectric metamaterials

A piezoelectric metamaterial concept for the control of surface acoustic waves is demonstrated experimentally. An array of inductive-shunted piezoelectric elements bonded to an aluminum block mode-converts or prevents the propagation of incident Rayleigh waves depending on the inductive-shunt profile and frequency content of the waves. Varying the inductance values in space is shown to enable bandgap formation or cause mode conversion of the incident surface acoustic waves to bulk shear waves.