Experimental Realization of Topological Surface Acoustic Wave Resonances under Surface Liquid Loading for Micro-volume sample Sensings
Abstract
Surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensors, owing to their high operating frequencies, compatibility with planar micro-fabrication, and exceptional sensitivity to surface perturbations, are widely used in lab -on-a-chip and biomedical diagnostic applications. However, conventional SAW sensors operating in liquid environments suffer from substantial energy dissipation, which markedly reduces their quality factors (Q factors) and limits sensing reliability. Here, we design and fabricate a topological SAW resonant sensor for surface liquid loading by exploiting interference coupling between topological interface states and resonant cavities. The band structures are validated using a semi-analytical plane wave expansion-finite element method. The device requires only 0.04 uL of sample and enables concentration sensing of NaCl and glucose solutions, with sensitivities of up to 190 kHz/% for NaCl and 101.8 kHz% for glucose, respectively, and a concentration resolution of 0.01%. This work offers a potential technological route towards high-performance SAW biomedical chips for micro-volume sample analysis.