Experimental demonstration of surface acoustic waves in two-dimensional phononic crystals with fluid background

The surface acoustic waves of a two-dimensional phononic crystal in water are investigated experimentally. By measuring the field distribution on the surface of the phononic crystal, a surface acoustic mode is clearly demonstrated. By introducing a periodical corrugation onto the surface of the phononic crystal and by a pointlike stimulation on the surface, a collimated acoustic beam with a small divergent angle is observed, which results from the coupling of the point source to the surface modes. This experimental realization may be of significance in the applications of surface acoustic waves in phononic crystals. (C) 2009 American Institute of Physics. [DOI: 10.1063/1.3200964]