Unidirectional quasi-Love-mode ridge waveguides on -on- for low-loss wideband acoustic transmission
Phys. Rev. Applied 23, 064054 – Published 24 June, 2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/kcxd-tdjy
Abstract
Acoustic-wave devices in the microwave regime are pivotal to next-generation wireless communications, the Internet of Things, and burgeoning quantum technologies. Here, we present a lithium niobate on a silicon carbide (--) ridge waveguide platform engineered to harness quasi-Love-mode surface acoustic waves with strong lateral confinement and low propagation loss. By leveraging the velocity mismatch between and , acoustic waves are steered efficiently along the ridge. To surmount persistent limitations in bandwidth (BW) and insertion loss (IL), we integrate single-phase unidirectional transducers (SPUDTs) and tapered waveguide structures. Experimental data reveal that, compared to conventional interdigital transducers, SPUDTs markedly extend the passband and lower IL, achieving a minimum of 2.81 dB. Further introducing taper structures reduces IL to 2.53 dB over a BW exceeding 150 MHz, all while preserving favorable propagation characteristics. In addition, we demonstrate bent waveguides and Y-shaped splitters that maintain robust performance, underscoring the quasi-Love-mode resilience to curvature. Altogether, this SPUDT-based ridge waveguide platform delivers low-loss, wideband acoustic-transmission lines poised for advanced phononic-integrated circuits, spanning both classical signal processing and hybrid quantum applications.