Magnetically transduced surface acoustic wave devices

A type of surface acoustic wave (SAW) device is introduced in which couplin g between the transducer and the acoustic medium is achieved using a magnet ostrictive thin film. These magnetically transduced SAW devices have severa l advantages over conventional piezoelectric SAWs, and may expand the funct ionality of SAW devices in general. Several possible designs are presented, along with data from two prototypes. Results from these devices are promis ing, and they indicate that several acoustic modes, both surface and bulk, can be stimulated. (C) 2000 American Institute of Physics. [S0021-8979(00)1 9108-X].