In this study, we investigate band structures of phononic crystals with particular emphasis on the effects of the mass density ratio and of the contrast of elastic constants. The phononic crystals consist of arrays of different media embedded in a rubber or epoxy. It is shown that the density ratio rather than the contrast of elastic constants is the dominant factor that opens up phononic band gaps. The physical background of this observation is explained by applying the theory of homogenization to investigate the group velocities of the low-frequency bands at the center of symmetry Γ.
Low-frequency band gaps in Y-type phononic crystals