Scaling LLSAW filters on engineered LiNbO3-on-SiC wafer for 5G and Wi-Fi 6 wideband applications

Abstract With the surge in fifth-generation (5G) wireless systems and escalating growth of data traffic, the push for higher carrier frequencies with wider bandwidths intensifies. This work reveals the outstanding capabilities of wafer-level longitudinal leaky surface acoustic wave (LLSAW) devices o...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Peisen Liu, Sulei Fu, Boyuan Xiao, Xinchen Zhou, Qiufeng Xu, Jiajun Gao, Shuai Zhang, Rui Wang, Cheng Song, Fei Zeng, Weibiao Wang, Feng Pan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Publishing Group 2025-08-01
Series:Microsystems & Nanoengineering
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41378-025-01007-0
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Summary:Abstract With the surge in fifth-generation (5G) wireless systems and escalating growth of data traffic, the push for higher carrier frequencies with wider bandwidths intensifies. This work reveals the outstanding capabilities of wafer-level longitudinal leaky surface acoustic wave (LLSAW) devices on the lithium niobate on insulator (LNOI) platform in scaling SAW technology beyond 4 GHz by mass-produced lithography. Leveraging SiC-based LNOI, the fabricated LLSAW resonators showcase remarkable quality factor (Q), scalable electromechanical factor $$\left({k}_{\text{eff}}^{2}\right)$$ k eff 2 from 14% to 28%, and record high figure-of-merit (FoM) of 166 to 222 at 5–6 GHz. Targeted for diverse bands, LLSAW filters with adaptable bandwidths have been realized on specific LN-on-SiC platforms. The filters covering the n79 full band with a minimum insertion loss (IL min) of 0.85 dB and the 5 GHz Wi-Fi full band with an IL min of 1.62 dB, have been demonstrated for the first time. These findings position LLSAW on LN-on-SiC platform as a promising commercial-grade candidate for pushing the SAW paradigm towards high frequency and wideband filtering.
ISSN:2055-7434