An acoustic surface wave, often abbreviated as ASW, is a type of mechanical wave that travels along the surface of a material, such as a solid or a liquid, rather than propagating through its volume. These waves are characterized by their ability to confine energy close to the surface, which distinguishes them from bulk acoustic waves that travel through the interior of a material.
Features of acoustic surface waves include:
Surface propagation: They travel along the boundary or interface between two media, such as between a solid and air or between layers within a solid material.
Dispersion: Like other waves, acoustic surface waves can exhibit dispersion, where the velocity of propagation depends on the wavelength and frequency of the wave.
Applications: Acoustic surface waves find applications in various fields, including telecommunications (e.g., surface acoustic wave devices in filters and resonators), sensing technologies (e.g., acoustic wave sensors), and surface wave radar systems.
These waves play a significant role in modern technology due to their ability to transmit energy and information efficiently along surfaces, offering advantages in compact device design and signal processing applications.