Optimization of the structure of piezoelectric transducers such as the proper design of matching layers can increase maximum wave energy transmission to the host structure and transducer sensitivity. A novel configuration of an ultrasonic transducer, where elastic metamaterial insertion is introduced to provide bulk wave mode conversion and to increase wave energy transfer into a substrate, is proposed. Configurations of layered elastic metamaterials with crack-like voids are examined theoretically since they can provide wide band gaps and strong wave localization and trapping. The analysis shows that the proposed metamaterial-based matching layers can sufficiently change wave energy transmission from a piezoelectric active element for various frequency ranges (relatively low frequencies as well as higher ones). The proposed configuration can also be useful for advanced sensing with higher sensitivity in certain frequency ranges or for demultiplexing different kinds of elastic waves.
Keywords: elastic metamaterial; elastic waves; laminate; mode conversion; periodic array; piezoelectric transducer; voids; wave energy.