To describe a partially randomized multilayer structure with arbitrary thicknesses of the interfaces between layers, we introduce a model in which the dependence of a material parameter along the axis of such a superlattice is described by a Jacobian elliptic sine function with a random spatial modulation of its period. Both one- and three-dimensional inhomogeneities of the period are considered. We develop the correlation function for this model, and investigate the dispersion law and damping of averaged waves in this superlattice. The dependencies of the widths of the gaps in the spectrum and the damping at the boundaries of all odd Brillouin zones, on the thicknesses of the interfaces, and on the dimensionality, intensity, and correlation wave number of the inhomogeneities are found. It is shown that experimental investigations of the widths of the gaps and damping for several Brillouin zones could permit, in principle, determining all parameters of the superlattice as well as the parameters of the inhomogeneities from these spectral characteristics.

• Received 12 July 2001

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.65.024207