Acceleration waves in a diatomic solid (Q1062798)

Utilizing Hamilton's variational principle, the nonlinear field equations and the associated boundary conditions are obtained for an elastic diatomic solid. The possibility of propagation of a singular surface in the form of an acceleration wave is investigated, and the explicit expressions of the acoustical tensors and their strong conditions are presented. The existence of six independent waves in such a medium is shown under the conditions stated. Finally, as a simple application, the propagation of acceleration waves in a linear and isotropic diatomic solid is studied and the expressions of wave speeds are obtained.