Asymmetric acoustic radiation in leaky SAW resonators on lithium tantalate

We discuss an acoustic loss mechanism in leaky surface-acoustic wave resonators on 36°YX-cut lithium tantalate substrate. Our recent acoustic field scans performed with an optical Michelson interferometer revealed a spatially asymmetric acoustic field atop the busbars of a resonator, giving rise to acoustic beams which escape the resonator area and lead to undesired losses. Here, we link the phenomenon with the inherent crystalline anisotropy of the substrate crystal: the shape of the slowness curves and the asymmetry of the polarization for the leaky surface-acoustic waves propagating at an angle with respect to the crystal X-axis.