Tsung-Tsong Wu

Frequency band-gap measurement of two-dimensional air/silicon phononic crystals using layered slanted finger interdigital transducers

In this paper, we investigate the frequency band-gap features of micromachined air/silicon phononic band structures using layered slanted finger interdigital transducers (SFIT). In order to achieve the applications of phononic crystals on the microelectromechanical system related components, the frequency band-gap widths of surface waves are studied both theoretically and experimentally in micrometer scale phononic crystals. For further integration with the complementary metal-oxide semiconductor processing techniques, silicon is chosen as the base material of the two-dimensional phononic crystals in this study. To cover the frequency band-gap width of the phononic crystal, the wideband SFIT- and the SFIT∕ZnO∕Si-layered structures in the measurement are analyzed and discussed. For layered structures, the dispersive relation is calculated by the effective permittivity approach, and the frequency response of the layered SFIT is then simulated by the coupling-of-modes model. The frequency band-gap width and ...

Evidence of complete band gap and resonances in a plate with periodic stubbed surface

In this paper, we numerically and experimentally demonstrate the existence of complete band gaps and resonances in a plate with a periodic stubbed surface. Numerical results show that a complete band gap forms as the stub height reaches about three times the plate thickness. In the experiment, we used a pulsed laser to generate broadband elastic waves and used optical devices as well as point piezoelectric transducers to detect wave signals. The results show that the numerical predictions are in very good agreement with those measured experimentally. Remarkable resonances on the top surface of the stubs are found and discussed.

Lamb waves in binary locally resonant phononic plates with two-dimensional lattices

The authors study the propagation of Lamb waves in two-dimensional locally resonant phononic-crystal plates, composed of periodic soft rubber fillers in epoxy host with a finite thickness. Our calculations are based on the efficient plane wave expansion formulation which utilized Mindlin’s plate theory. Calculated results show that the low-frequency gaps of Lamb waves are opened up by the localized resonance mechanism. The resonant frequencies of flexure-dominated plate modes are significantly dependent not only on the radius of circular rubber fillers but also on the plate thickness. The properties of localized resonance are qualitatively analogous to the vibration of a circular thin plate.

A room temperature surface acoustic wave hydrogen sensor with Pt coated ZnO nanorods

A surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensor with Pt coated ZnO nanorods as the selective layer has been investigated for hydrogen detection. The SAW sensor was fabricated based on a 128 degrees YX-LiNbO(3) substrate with a operating frequency of 145 MHz. A dual delay line configuration was adopted to eliminate external environmental fluctuations. The Pt coated ZnO nanorods were chosen as a selective layer due to their high surface-to-volume ratio, large penetration depth, and fast charge diffusion rate. The ZnO nanorods were synthesized by an aqueous solution method and coated with the noble metal Pt as a catalyst. Finally, the SAW sensor responses to humidity and hydrogen were tested. Results show that the sensor is not sensitive to humidity; moreover, the frequency shift for a hydrogen concentration variation of 6000 ppm is 26 kHz while operating at room temperature. It can be concluded that the Pt coated ZnO nanorod based SAW hydrogen sensor exhibits fast response, good sensitivity and short-term repeatability. It is worth noting that not only is the sensor sensitive enough to operate at room temperature, but also it can avoid the influence of humidity.

Focusing of the lowest antisymmetric Lamb wave in a gradient-index phononic crystal plate

In this letter, we numerically demonstrate focusing of the lowest antisymmetric Lamb wave in a gradient-index phononic crystal (PC) silicon plate and its application as a beam-width compressor for compressing Lamb wave into a stubbed phononic tungsten/silicon plate waveguide. The results show that beam width of the lowest antisymmetric Lamb wave in the PC thin plate can be compressed efficiently and fitted into tungsten/silicon PC plate waveguide over a wide range of frequency.

Three-dimensional phononic band gap calculations using the FDTD method and a PC cluster system

This paper aims at studying the band gap phenomena of three-dimensional phononic crystals using the finite difference time domain (FDTD) method and a PC cluster system. In the paper, Blochs theorem is applied to the wave equation and to the boundary conditions of the periodic structure. We calculate the variations of displacements and take discrete Fourier transform to acquire the resonances of the structures. Then, the dispersion relations of the bulk acoustic wave can be obtained and the band gaps are predicted accordingly. On the other hand, because of larger data calculation in three-dimensional phononic crystals, we introduce the PC cluster system and parallel FDTD programs written with respect to the architecture of a PC cluster system. Finally, we discuss the numerical calculation of two-dimensional and three-dimensional phononic crystals consisting of steel/epoxy and draw conclusions regarding the band gap phenomena between these phononic crystals.

Utilization of phononic-crystal reflective gratings in a layered surface acoustic wave device

In this paper, a design that combines two-port surface acoustic wave (SAW) devices and phononic crystals (PCs) acting as reflected gratings is demonstrated. Finite-difference time-domain method is used to analyze SAWs encountering the PC and optimize the design. A layered ZnO/Si SAW device and a square lattice PC composing of cylindrical holes on silicon were fabricated. With the PC of 15-layer cylinders, experimental insertion loss shows a 7 dB improvement at 212 MHz at central frequency. In addition, the size of gratings is reduced significantly as compared to the traditional gratings with hundreds of metal strips.

A ZnO nanorod-based SAW oscillator system for ultraviolet detection

A high-precision ultraviolet (UV) detector combining ZnO nanostructure and a dual delay line surface acoustic wave (SAW) oscillator system is presented. The UV detector is made of ZnO nanorods on a 128 degrees YX-LiNbO(3)-based two-port SAW oscillator. The ZnO nanorod synthesized by chemical solution method is used as a UV sensing material. The center frequency of the SAW device is at 145 MHz. A dual delay line SAW oscillator system was constructed to eliminate external environmental fluctuations. Under illumination of a UV source consisting of an Xe lamp and a monochromator, frequency shifts of the UV detector were measured. A maximum frequency shift of over 40 kHz was observed under 365 nm illumination for several on-off cycles, indicating the ZnO nanorod-based detector was sensitive to UV light and with good repeatability. Moreover, frequency shifts reached a value of 19 kHz after 365 nm was turned on for 10 s, which implies a real-time high-sensitivity UV sensor was successfully fabricated. Results show a ZnO nanostructure-based SAW oscillator system is a promising candidate for a real-time, fast-response, high-precision UV detector.

A high sensitivity nanomaterial based SAW humidity sensor

In this paper, a highly sensitive humidity sensor is reported. The humidity sensor is configured by a 128?YX-LiNbO3 based surface acoustic wave (SAW) resonator whose operating frequency is at 145?MHz. A dual delay line configuration is realized to eliminate external temperature fluctuations. Moreover, for nanostructured materials possessing high surface-to-volume ratio, large penetration depth and fast charge diffusion rate, camphor sulfonic acid doped polyaniline (PANI) nanofibres are synthesized by the interfacial polymerization method and further deposited on the SAW resonator as selective coating to enhance sensitivity. The humidity sensor is used to measure various relative humidities in the range 5?90% at room temperature. Results show that the PANI nanofibre based SAW humidity sensor exhibits excellent sensitivity and short-term repeatability.

Exact analysis of dispersive SAW devices on ZnO/diamond/Si-layered structures

In this paper, a formulation for calculating the effective permittivity of a piezoelectric layered SAW structure is given, and the exact frequency response of ZnO/diamond/Si-layered SAW is calculated. The effective permittivity and phase velocity dispersion of a ZnO/diamond/Si-layered half space are calculated and discussed. The frequency response of an unapodized SAW transducer is calculated, and the center frequency shift caused by the velocity dispersion is explained. In addition, the electromechanical coupling coefficients of the ZnO/diamond/Si -layered half space based on two different formulas are calculated and discussed. Finally, based on the results of the study, we propose an exact analysis for modeling the layered SAW device. The advantage of using the effective permittivity method is that, not only the null frequency bandwidth, but also the center frequency shift and insertion loss can be evaluated.