Abstract
In this work, we have introduced a simple and sensitive designed sensor based on the inclusion of a cavity layer inside a one-dimensional phononic crystal (1D PnC). Our designed sensor is capable of detection of heavy metals ions in freshwater in ppm concentrations. Therefore, the cavity layer is designed to be filled with an aqueous solution of different concentrations of Cu(NO3)(2). In particular, Cu(NO3)(2) may be one of the most dangerous heavy metals that could be present in freshwater. Here, each unit cell of the 1D symmetric PnC is composed of two layers (lead and epoxy). Our findings revealed the localization of a resonant peak through the transmittance spectrum of the defective PnC. Such a peak could be the mainstay towards the detection of the suggested heavy metal. Specifically, this resonant mode is tuned and shifted towards lower frequencies with increasing Cu(NO3)(2) concentration (0-500,000 ppm). Moreover, the distribution of the acoustic transmission field is confined intensively through the cavity layer and displayed clearly for the smallest change in Cu(NO3)(2) concentration. Also, we have calculated and plotted different performance parameters to show the sensor novelty. Meanwhile, the sensor provides good values for the quality factor and figure of merit that change from 1.6949 x 10(-3) to 1.5693 x 10(-3) and from 0.5707 x 10(-4) to 0.4794 x 10(-3)/ppm with an increase in the concentration from 10,000 to 500,000 ppm, respectively. In addition, the sensor provided high sensitivity of 20 Hz/ppm. Hence, the proposed sensor can detect water pollutions with higher performance.