Abstract
Propagation properties of fundamental magnetoelastic waves (MEWs) in a highly magnetostrictive slab have been studied. Analysis and experiment show that there exist three fundamental MEWs: Lamb extensional-type, Lamb flexural-type and SH-type MEWseven in a single homogeneous magnetic slab. The results reveal that the propagation properties of MEWs are determined by not only the magnetic parameters such as the magnetoelastic coupling constant but also by the geometrical ratio of the thickness to the drive frequency. The analysis suggests that in order to realize large velocity change in MEWs with a small field the easy axis direction should be changed according to whether the Lamb-type or the SH-type MEW is used. The SH-type MEW exhibits distinct frequency dispersion which is not observed in the elastic SH-wave in a non-magnetic slab.
