Characteristics of Input Signal of a XY and YX Cut LiNbO3 SAW Using Finite Element Modeling

Abstract

Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) devices were traditionally designed for wireless and communication applications; however, their potential has been explored in various other fields. In recent years SAW devices have shown promising results in acoustofluidics. SAW devices operate at higher frequencies (100’s of MHz) which results in high propagation of mechanical waves on the surface which can be utilized in acoustofluidics applications such as cell separation and atomizer. Integration of SAW on acoustofluidics applications solely depends on the device’s ability to generate an acoustic wave with high magnitude to transfer high levels of energy through the liquid. Various factors such as the shape of wave form and amplitude of the input signal to a SAW can affect the formation of mechanical waves on the surface. Hence, the performance of acoustofluidics applications mainly depends on the selection of input signal to a SAW device. This paper analyzes the characteristics of input signals such as the shape of impulse, signal timing, frequency range, and amplitude by considering piezoelectric substrate XY and YX cut LiNbO₃. The results were analyzed in relation to insertion loss which is an important parameter to determine the performance of the SAW device.