Propagation characteristics of Rayleigh waves in transversely isotropic piezothermoelastic materials

The paper is aimed at to investigate the propagation of Rayleigh waves in a homogeneous, transversely isotropic, piezothermoelastic half-space subjected to stress free, electrically shorted/charge-free and thermally insulated/isothermal boundary conditions. Secular equations for the half-space in closed form and isolated mathematical conditions in completely separate terms are derived. The secular equations for stress free piezoelectric, thermoelastic and elastic half-spaces have also been deduced as special cases from the present analysis. Finally, numerical solution of various secular equations and other relevant relations is carried out for cadmium-selenide (6 mm class) material. The dispersion curves and attenuation coefficients of wave propagation are presented graphically, in order to illustrate and compare the analytical results. The theory and numerical computations are found to be in close agreement. The coupling between the thermal/electric/elastic fields in piezoelectric materials provides a mechanism for sensing thermomechanical disturbances from measurements of induced electric potentials, and for altering structural responses via applied electric fields. Therefore, the analysis will be useful in the design and construction of temperature sensors and surface acoustic wave filter devices.