Simulation of SAW humidity sensors based on (1120) ZnO/R-sapphire structures

Abstract

The characteristics of two types of surface acoustic waves SAWs (Rayleigh waves and Love waves) propagating in bilayered structures of (1120) ZnO/R-sapphire are simulated by a finite element method (FEM) model, in which both SAWs have crossed propagation directions. Furthermore, based on the bilayered structures, the frequency responses of Rayleigh wave and Love wave humidity sensors are also simulated. Meanwhile, the frequency shifts, insertion loss changes and then the sensitivities of both humidity sensors induced by the adsorbed water layer perturbations, including the mechanical and electrical factors, are calculated numerically. Generally, the characteristics and performances of both sensors are strongly dependent on the thickness of the ZnO films. By appropriate selecting the ratio of the film thickness to SAW wavelength for each kind of the sensors, the performances of both sensors can be optimized.