mm-band surface acoustic wave devices utilizing two-dimensional boron nitride

The simple structure, low power consumption, and small form factor have made surface acoustic wave (SAW) devices essential to mobile communication as RF filters. For instance, the latest 5G smartphones are equipped with almost 100 acoustic wave filters to select a specific frequency band and increase communication capacity. On the arrival of the newest communication standard, 5G, mm-band up to 39 GHz is supposed to be utilized, whereas the conventional SAW filters are limited to below 3 GHz, leaving a critical component missing. Here, we show an emerging 2D material-hexagonal boron nitride-can become a key enabler of mm-band SAW filter. Our study, based on first principles analysis and acousto-electric simulation, shows the operating frequency of SAW devices can reach over 20 GHz in its fundamental mode and 40 GHz in its interface mode with high electromechanical coupling coefficient (K-2) and low insertion loss. In addition to the orders of magnitude improvement compared to the conventional SAW devices, our study provides a systematic approach to utilizing van der Waals crystals with highly anisotropic acoustic properties for practical applications.

Automated summary

Surface acoustic wave (SAW) devices are crucial RF filters in mobile communication due to their simple structure, low power consumption, and small form factor. However, the limitation of conventional SAW filters in operating frequency poses a challenge for the utilization of mm-band frequencies in 5G communication. In this study, we demonstrate the potential of hexagonal boron nitride, a 2D material, as a key enabler for mm-band SAW filters, offering high operating frequencies, high electromechanical coupling coefficient, and low insertion loss.