Analysis of thermal generation of Rayleigh waves

We have developed an analysis for thermal generation of surface acoustic waves (Rayleigh waves) valid for anisotropic materials. The analysis, based on the complex reciprocity relation, provides expressions for the mechanical displacement, the electrical potential, and the acoustic power density of the Rayleigh waves launched by harmonic heating of zones on the surface. These quantities are evaluated for an isotropic substrate. They are compared with those obtained by R. M. White in his work on thermal generation of bulk waves. Our theoretical results are in good agreement with two previous experiments carried out with a piezoelectric crystal of lithium niobate.