Phonon generation using thin film transducers

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Abstract
This paper is concerned with the properties of thin film phonon transducers, which have recently begun to have wide application in the study of solids. Using the basic parameters of film thickness, elastic and inelastic phonon scattering lengths and phonon transmission coefficient to the underlying substrate, a simple model for the response time and generated frequency spectrum of a particular type of transducer, the superconducting tunnel junction working at its gap frequency, is developed and experimental evidence in its favour reviewed. From this discussion of a particular case, the argument is generalized to consider the properties of a wide variety of thin film transducers.