Scalar Differential Equations of Thin Film Bulk Acoustic Wave Resonators with Surface Acoustic Impedance for Sensor Application.

We generalize the two-dimensional scalar differential equations for the thickness-extensional operating modes of thin film bulk acoustic wave resonators (FBARs) to include the effects of surface impedance so that the equations can be used to model sensors based on FBARs. A mass sensor is analyzed as an example to show the effectiveness of the equations obtained. The mass layer inducer frequency shifts are calculated. It is also found that the vibration may be confined under the driving electrode or the mass layer. These are fundamental to mass sensor design.