Real-time simulations and experiments on surface acoustic wave scattering in periodic microstructures

Surface acoustic wave scattering in periodically microstructured surfaces is investigated numerically and experimentally. We perform the simulations by a real-time finite element technique and experiments by ultrashort pulsed optical excitation and interferometric detection. Good agreement is obtained between simulation and experiment. Our results clearly show the opening of phononic stop bands of the excited Rayleigh-like waves at the Brillouin zone boundary. In addition, we investigate the influence of the grating thickness by numerical simulations. Our results show the strong influence of the grating thickness on the position and width of the phononic stop bands.