Effects of a biasing electric field on rayleigh waves in magnetoelectric structures

Propagation of Rayleigh surface acoustic waves in a piezoelectric-piezomagnetic layered structure affected by a biasing electric field is studied analytically. Based on the three-dimensional equations of linear elasticity and the Maxwell equations, the differential equations of motion under a biasing electric field are derived and solved. The dispersion relations are obtained and discussed by regarding the coupling piezoelectric and piezomagnetic behaviors. The effect of a biasing electric field on stress field and mechanical displacement along the thickness direction of the layer are presented and discussed. It is found that the biasing electric field has significant effect on the phase velocity and mechanical displacement. The analytical method and the results can be useful for the design of acoustic surface wave devices consisted of piezoelectric and piezomagnetic materials.