Approximate analysis of the reflection of surface acoustic waves by steps

An approximate method of obtaining the surface-wave reflection coefficient of a step is developed. Numerical results are presented for Bleustein-Gulyaev and Rayleigh waves reflected at normal incidence from electrodes of aluminum and gold on a piezoelectric ceramic. The results show good agreement with results previously obtained using a more exact but much longer method. The method is easily extended to any crystal symmetry.