Propagation of a surface acoustic wave in a layered system containing a two-dimensional conducting layer

A surface acoustic wave can propagate in a piezoelectric crystal above which lies a two-dimensional conducting layer. The electric fields excited by the wave in the crystal penetrate into the two-dimensional layer and excite dissipative currents in it, which results in absorption of the wave and change of its velocity. These characteristics are calculated for different configurations of the layered system taking into account not only the surface conductivity but also surface diffusion. When the layer has an elastic contact with the crystal, for the configuration allowance is made not only for the piezoelectric but also the deformation interaction of the sound wave with the electrons. (C) 1997 American Institute of Physics.