Surface acoustic wave sensor methods and systems
First Claim
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1. A sensor method, comprising the steps of:
- providing a substrate comprising swept quartz;
locating at least two surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensing elements located centrally on a first side of said substrate, wherein said at least two SAW sensing elements occupy a common area on said first side of said substrate and wherein said at least two SAW sensing elements comprise interdigital transducers thereof; and
etching a cavity centrally on a second side of said substrate opposite said first side in association with said at least two SAW sensing elements, wherein said etched cavity forms an etched diaphragm on and from said substrate in order to concentrate a mechanical strain in said etched diagram, thereby providing a high strength, high sensitivity sensor system with ease of manufacturing thereof.
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Abstract
Sensor systems and methods are disclosed herein, including a sensor chip, upon which at least two surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensing elements are centrally located on a first side (e.g., front side) of the sensor chip. The SAW sensing elements occupy a common area on the first side of the sensor chip. An etched diaphragm is located centrally on the second side (i.e., back side) of the sensor chip opposite the first side in association with the two SAW sensing elements in order to concentrate the mechanical strain of the sensor system or sensor device in the etched diagram, thereby providing high strength, high sensitivity and ease of manufacturing thereof.
52 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A sensor method, comprising the steps of:
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providing a substrate comprising swept quartz; locating at least two surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensing elements located centrally on a first side of said substrate, wherein said at least two SAW sensing elements occupy a common area on said first side of said substrate and wherein said at least two SAW sensing elements comprise interdigital transducers thereof; and etching a cavity centrally on a second side of said substrate opposite said first side in association with said at least two SAW sensing elements, wherein said etched cavity forms an etched diaphragm on and from said substrate in order to concentrate a mechanical strain in said etched diagram, thereby providing a high strength, high sensitivity sensor system with ease of manufacturing thereof. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A sensor system, comprising:
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a quartz substrate; an etched cavity formed on a first side of said substrate, wherein said etched cavity forms an etched diaphragm on and from said substrate in order to concentrate a mechanical strain in said etched diaphragm; a plurality of surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensing elements located on a second side of said substrate opposite said first side, wherein a first SAW sensing element of said plurality of SAW sensing elements is located on said etched diaphragm, thereby combining a high strength, high sensitivity sensor system with ease of manufacturing. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A sensor system, comprising:
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a substrate; a plurality of surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensing elements located upon said substrate wherein each SAW sensing element of said plurality of SAW sensing elements has a first side and a second side; and an etched cavity formed on a first side of said each SAW sensing element, wherein said etched cavity forms an etched diaphragm on said each SAW element in order to concentrate a mechanical strain in said etched diaphragm, thereby combining a high strength, high sensitivity sensor system with ease of manufacturing. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification