The Generation and Measurement of Surface Acoustic Waves on Gallium Arsenide

Surface acoustic waves (SAWs) propagate in piezoelectric materials and are generated by interdigital transducers (IDTs). SAW devices have applications in a variety of fields, under which telecommunication, biology and chemistry. The context of SAW devices in this research project is in quantum acoustics, in which the underlying idea is that quanta of sound waves (single phonons) can be used to transfer quantum information between different systems. As these systems often operate at GHz frequencies and are fabricated on Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) substrates, the goal of this research project is to fabricate (using electron-beam lithography) and characterize 1 GHz SAW devices on GaAs. The SAW emission by the IDTs is measured in the frequency domain, where good agreement is found with the coupling of modes model, allowing us to extract the SAW amplitude, the SAW velocity and the reflection coefficient of the IDT fingers. The IDTs are also measured in the time domain, were good agreement...Show moreSurface acoustic waves (SAWs) propagate in piezoelectric materials and are generated by interdigital transducers (IDTs). SAW devices have applications in a variety of fields, under which telecommunication, biology and chemistry. The context of SAW devices in this research project is in quantum acoustics, in which the underlying idea is that quanta of sound waves (single phonons) can be used to transfer quantum information between different systems. As these systems often operate at GHz frequencies and are fabricated on Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) substrates, the goal of this research project is to fabricate (using electron-beam lithography) and characterize 1 GHz SAW devices on GaAs. The SAW emission by the IDTs is measured in the frequency domain, where good agreement is found with the coupling of modes model, allowing us to extract the SAW amplitude, the SAW velocity and the reflection coefficient of the IDT fingers. The IDTs are also measured in the time domain, were good agreement is found with the findings of the frequency domain measurements. Finally, a first step is made towards SAW resonators, which can enhance the SAW amplitudes significantly. This amplitude enhancement is crucial for quantum acoustics experiments, as high coupling between quantum dots and SAWs is needed. This project can therefore be thought of as the foundation for future quantum acoustics experiments.Show less

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The Generation and Measurement of Surface Acoustic Waves on Gallium Arsenide