Design and Synthesis of Harmonic Surface Acoustic Wave Delay Lines

Abstract

<p>Harmonic delay lines are necessary for building SAW oscillators in the 200 MHz - 1 GHz frequency range using conventional photolithographic techniques. The various methods of generating and filtering higher harmonic modes in Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) delay lines are presented in this thesis. A new design called the "stepped-finger" design, for SAW transducers was also developed in this thesis. A stepped-finger harmonic delay line was built, tested and compared with the only other presently existing harmonic delay line structure, the 3- and 4-finger delay line. The experimental results obtained indicated that the stepped-finger delay line was the more efficient of the two.</p>