Generation of Mechanical Vibrations by Penetrating Particles

Abstract

Mechanical oscillations of lead-zirconate-titanate piezoelectric disks have been observed when penetrating high-energy (1.0-BeV) beams of electrons impinge on the disks. Radial and compressional modes of vibration have been observed in the frequency range 40-158 kHz. Possible applications of this observation to particle detection at very high energies are discussed. The observed phenomenon also has a possible connection with measurements of gravitational waves.