Selection of materials for multilayered structures to be used in packageless sensors
Recently a multilayered structure with a low-velocity layer sandwiched between two high-velocity materials, one of which also works as a supporting substrate and another one as a coat isolating the wave from the influence of undesired external factors, was suggested for application in packageless sensors [1,2]. The thickness of a middle piezoelectric layer must be sufficient to confine the wave within this layer. The suggested combinations of materials included ZnO or GaN as a waveguiding layer, sapphire or diamond as a supporting substrate and Al2O3 (alumina) or AlN as a coating. In the present work, two previously reported structures were analyzed and compared to find the selection criterion for optimal combination of materials enabling high coupling of the useful mode and suppression of parasitic modes.
Transformation of acoustic waves in periodic metal grating sandwiched between piezoelectric and dielectric
The mechanism of SAW transformation with variation of film thickness is investigated in a piezoelectric substrate with a metal grating overlaid by a dielectric film, via simulation and visualization of the acoustic fields. By way of example, two orientations of lithium niobate substrates are analyzed, YX-LN and 128°YX-LN, with a Cu grating and an isotropic silica glass overlay. The motions, which follow the wave propagation in the sagittal plane, are visualized within two periods of the grating, with added contour plots showing the shear horizontal displacements. The continuous transformation of the wave's nature is investigated for each wave propagating in the analyzed material structures when the film thickness is increased from zero to a few wavelengths. The examples of the SAW transformation into boundary waves and into plate modes of different polarization have been found and investigated. The behavior of the SAW characteristics in the grating is correlated with transformation of the wave structure with increasing overlay thickness.
Hygroscopic Expansion of some Casting Investments
CREDIT is generally given to Taggart1 for introducing the cast gold inlay to the dental profession. Although he realized that gold shrinks when cooled from molten state to solid state of room temperature, the investment available to him did not supply sufficient compensation. In 1910, Van Horn2 published a paper dealing with a method by which he obtained the compensation by means of wax expansion. The next major research in connection with this problem was the work of Coleman3 at the National Bureau of Standards. He determined the gold shrinkage to be 1.25 per cent and presented a casting technic with compensation values of quantitative nature. The total compensation for the gold shrinkage was obtained by the combination of the setting and thermal expansion of the mold. This procedure is the general practice followed at the present time for compensation. There are some disadvantages to this method. Skinner has indicated the difficulty of obtaining smooth castings and the improper compensation for the casting shrinkage.4 It has been found by Hollenback5 and Scheu6a that castings made at a high temperature are rougher than those made at a low temperature (450° C.), depending upon the great difference in thermal expansion between plaster of Paris and silica, which causes a poor union of the fine particles. This may also result in friability and there may be some warpage due to the differential expansion. A method which provides sufficient compensation at a low mold temperature is the hygroscopic casting technic.b Wilson7 showed that certain plasters expand as much as 0.0044 inch to the inch by taking up moisture from the air. With this information at hand, Scheula, b tested some commercial investment to determine what results the addition of moisture would have. He found6b: (1) All of the casting investments that were tested expanded. (2) The thicker the mix, the greater the expansion. (3) A mix with hot water expanded more than one with cold water. (4) The time at which the mix is placed in the water is of great importance. It was found that if the mix is placed in the water early, it would not expand so much as when placed in a little later. It was also found that if the mix was placed in the water after a certain time, it could not expand to the maximal amount. (5) The temperature of the water in which the mix is placed is important, for two reasons; (a) the temperature of the water controls slightly the expansion of the investment, and (b) water at a temperature of 1000 F. slightly softens the wax pattern so that the fine margins are not marred while expansion is taking place. The mix should remain in the water at least 20 minutes to obtain the full expansion, after which time no further expansion is obtained.