Surface acoustic wave (SAW) devices have been used for filters, delay lines, resonators and oscillators. Since the characteristics of SAW devices are determined by the piezoelectric substrate, SAW devices must be selected for appropriate material.
This paper examines first the characteristics of SAW propagating through several kinds of piezoelectric substrates. Next, using the reports from companies involved with SAW devices, the application and development of piezoelectric materials and the present status of SAW devices will be summarized. The future of SAW materials will also be described.