A bulk acoustic wave (BAW) is a type of mechanical wave that propagates through a solid or liquid material. It is a type of sound wave that travels through the material in the form of compression and rarefaction waves, similar to the way that sound waves travel through air.
In contrast to surface acoustic waves (SAWs) which propagate along the surface of a material, BAWs propagate through the bulk of the material. BAW devices are commonly used in various applications such as filters, resonators, and oscillators in electronic devices.
BAW devices typically consist of a piezoelectric material, such as quartz, that is sandwiched between two metal electrodes. When an alternating voltage is applied to the electrodes, the piezoelectric material deforms and generates a mechanical vibration, which creates a BAW that propagates through the material. The frequency of the BAW is determined by the thickness of the piezoelectric material and the velocity of sound in the material.
One advantage of BAW devices over SAW devices is that BAWs have lower losses and can operate at higher frequencies. This makes BAW devices suitable for applications that require high-frequency operation, such as wireless communications and radar systems. learn more about School Management System.