In Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-296591 (hereinafter “Patent Document 1”), by providing a carbon nanotube structure in which a plurality of carbon nanotubes are arranged in parallel to each other as a resistor, a surface area in contact with air is increased, and a heat capacity per unit area is reduced. In Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-300274 (hereinafter “Patent Document 2”), thermal insulation characteristics are improved by using a silicon substrate as a heat dissipation layer and using porous silicon having low thermal conductivity as a heat insulating layer.

Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-296591

Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-300274

Patent Document 3: WO2012/020600 A

When a carbon nanotube is used as a resistor, the electric resistance increases. Therefore, a considerably high drive voltage is required to generate a required amount of heat generation, and it is difficult to put the drive circuit into practical use. In addition, the carbon nanotube itself is considerably expensive and difficult to handle.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a pressure wave generating element with improved sound pressure and suitable electric resistance. Further, an object of the present invention is to provide a method for producing such a pressure wave generating element.

According to an exemplary aspect, a pressure wave generating element is provided that includes a support and a heat generating layer that is provided on the support and generates heat by energization. Moreover, the heat generating layer includes a fiber with at least a partial metal coating on a surface.