A Short Review of SAW Sensors

Surface Acoustic Waves (SAWs) are elastic waves travelling along the surface of solid piezoelectric materials with amplitude that decays exponentially with depth. Using an Interdigital Transducer (IDT), these waves can be demonstrated and reproduced in the laboratory in devices called SAW devices. Such devices find many applications as delay lines, filters, resonators and sensors. The present paper provides a snapshot review and a description of the function, operation and latest technical advancements seen in SAW sensors over the period from 1997-2015. SAW Sensors using different design and operating principles have been reported in this paper. Compared with other currently available types of sensors, the SAW – based sensors have many advantages like: high sensitivity, quick response time, easy predictability and good stability. Keywords: Surface Acoustic wave, Interdigital Transducer.