Surface acoustic wave coupling with respect to non-piezoelectric substrates

Claim 1

A surface acoustic wave signal coupling apparatus comprising: a first energy propagating element having a strongly piezoelectric surface for propagating thereat surface acoustic waves in a predetermined propagation direction; transducer means affixed to said piezoelectric surface in energy exchanging relation with said surface acoustic waves; a second energy propagating element having a surface substantially less piezoelectric than said strongly piezoelectric surface for propagating thereat surface acoustic waves substantially parallel to said propagation direction, said second element surface being disposed immediately adjacent to and opposite from said first element surface; and a plurality of equispaced rails aligned substantially perpendicular to said propagation direction disposed between said first element surface and said second element surface for exchanging surface acoustic energy therebetween.