Transverse surface waves on a piezoelectric material carrying a functionally graded layer of finite thickness

The propagation behavior of transverse surface waves (Love waves) in a piezoelectric half space of polarized ceramics carrying a functionally graded material layer is studied from the three-dimensional equations of linear piezoelectricity. The Wentzel–Kramers–Brillouin (WKB) asymptotic technique is adopted for the theoretical derivations of analytical solutions in the functionally graded layer. The dispersion relations of Love wave in the structure are obtained for both electrically open and shorted cases. Firstly, these solutions are used to study effect of the gradient coefficients on the dispersive relations and phase velocities of Love wave propagation. Then influence of the gradient coefficients on the electromechanical coupling factor is discussed in detail. The results reported are meaningful for the design of surface acoustic wave (SAW) devices with high performance.