Second-harmonic generation in an infinite layered structure with nonlinear spring-type interfaces

The second-harmonic generation characteristics in the elastic wave propagation across an infinite layered structure consisting of identical linear elastic layers and nonlinear spring-type interlayer interfaces are analyzed theoretically. The interlayer interfaces are assumed to have identical linear interfacial stiffness but can have different quadratic nonlinearity parameters. Using a perturbation approach and the transfer-matrix method, an explicit analytical expression is derived for the second-harmonic amplitude when the layered structure is impinged by a monochromatic fundamental wave. The analysis shows that the second-harmonic generation behavior depends significantly on the fundamental frequency reflecting the band structure of the layered structure. Two special cases are discussed in order to demonstrate such dependence, i.e., the second-harmonic generation by a single nonlinear interface as well as by multiple consecutive nonlinear interfaces. In particular, when the second-harmonic generation occurs at multiple consecutive nonlinear interfaces, the cumulative growth of the second-harmonic amplitude with distance is only expected in certain frequency ranges where the fundamental as well as the double frequencies belong to the pass bands of the layered structure. Furthermore, a remarkable increase of the second-harmonic amplitude is found near the terminating edge of pass bands. Approximate expressions for the low-frequency range are also obtained, which show the cumulative growth of the second-harmonic amplitude with quadratic frequency dependence.