Experimental evidence of bandgap structures in the lower jaw of the bottlenose dolphin (tursiops truncatus)

Previous studies using the TLM numerical modelling technique have demonstrated the potential existence of bandgap structures within the lower jawbone of the Atlantic Bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus). The study presented here shows experimental evidence of the existence of these bandgaps within a 2-D structure that mimics the prinnciple dimensions of the lower teeth and jawbone of the Bottlenose dolphin. The bandgap present is due to the tooth structure in the lower jaw forming a periodic array of scattering elements, which results in the formation of an acoustic stop band that is angular dependent.