Effect of phase correction produced by trimming layer on thin-film bulk acoustic resonator

Abstract

This study investigates the influence of trimming layer thickness on the performance characteristics of thin-film bulk acoustic resonators (FBARs). By adjusting the thickness of the trimming layer, we aimed to optimize the resonant (fs) and antiresonant frequencies (fp), which are critical for the filter's performance in blocking or passing specific frequency bands. Employing theoretical modeling and experimental validation, we explored how variations in the trimming layer thickness affect the electromechanical coupling coefficient (kt2) and the overall energy efficiency of FBARs. The study also considered the impact of piezoelectric layer thickness on the effectiveness of these adjustments, revealing that thinner piezoelectric layers are more sensitive to changes in the trimming layer, enhancing the tuning capability for high-frequency applications. Our results confirm that reducing the trimming layer thickness increases both resonant and antiresonant frequencies, with a more pronounced effect on the latter, suggesting a significant phase correction effect from the trimming layer, resulting in the quality Q factor reductions. Our experimental results show that as the trimming layer thickness increases from 200 to 300 nm, the Q factor increases by 11%, while kt2 decreases by 4%. This research provides critical insights into the design and optimization of FBARs, offering guidelines that can help advance the development of more efficient and effective RF components for future mobile communication technologies.