The loss mechanism in a composite acoustic microwave resonator based on a sapphire single crystal

Acoustic loss in a composite longitudinal-wave resonator structure operating in the microwave band are studied. The resonator structure contains a rather thick sapphire plate coated with a piezoelectric film with electrodes. It is shown that, in a wide frequency band, attenuation is determined by interaction with acoustic phonons. The role of diffraction loss is discussed. Scattering of acoustic waves by asperities of reflecting surfaces is considered, and the contribution of scattered acoustic waves to the total loss is estimated.