Development of Highly Efficient Lamb Wave Transducers toward Dual-Surface Simultaneous Atomization

Abstract

Highly efficient surface acoustic wave (SAW) transducers offer significant advantages for microfluidic atomization. Aiming at highly efficient atomization, we innovatively accomplish dual-surface simultaneous atomization by strategically positioning the liquid supply outside the IDT aperture edge. Initially, we optimize Lamb wave transducers and specifically investigate their performance based on the ratio of substrate thickness to acoustic wavelength. When this ratio h/λ is approximately 1.25, the electromechanical coupling coefficient of A0-mode Lamb waves can reach around 5.5% for 128° Y-X LiNbO3. We then study the mechanism of droplet atomization with the liquid supply positioned outside the IDT aperture edge. Experimental results demonstrate that optimized Lamb wave transducers exhibit clear dual-surface simultaneous atomization. These transducers provide equivalent amplitude acoustic wave vibrations on both surfaces, causing the liquid thin film to accumulate at the edges of the dual-surface and form a continuous mist.