What Is a Surface Acoustic Wave?
A surface acoustic wave (SAW) refers to an ultrasonic wave that travels along the surface of a solid material.
These waves are produced through the elastic deformation of the material’s surface, caused by small displacements and vibrations that move both along the exterior and penetrate slightly into the material. Surface acoustic waves differ from bulk waves in that they are confined to the material’s surface, with their propagation affecting and being affected by the surface conditions and internal structure of the solid. This interaction influences the wave’s velocity and the pattern of vibration, making them sensitive to the physical properties of the surface they travel on.
Applications of surface acoustic waves are diverse, ranging from the non-destructive evaluation of materials and the analysis of their surface microstructures to their use in ultrasonic testing and the operation of various sensor technologies.