Ku-Band AlScn-On-Diamond SAW Resonators with Phase Velocity above 8600 m/s

Abstract: In this work, an Aluminum Scandium Nitride (AlScN) on Diamond Sezawa-mode surface acoustic wave (SAW) platform for RF filtering at Ku-band (12-18 GHz) is demonstrated. Thanks to the high acoustic velocity and low-loss diamond substrate, the prototype resonator at 12.9 GHz achieves a high phase velocity ($v_p$) of 8671 m/s, a maximum Bode-$Q$ of 408, and coupling coefficient ($k_{\mathrm{eff}}^2$) of 2.1%, outperforming high-velocity substrates such as SiC and sapphire by more than 20% in velocity. Resonators spanning 8-18 GHz are presented. The platform's high power handling above 12.5 dBm is also experimentally validated.