astronomy

Kenneth Meade Lakin

Kenneth Meade Lakin is a astronomy topic covered in the lgStudy science library. This page brings together a partial reference excerpt, illustrations, worked examples, real-world applications and a short study plan, so you can understand Kenneth Meade Lakin rather than just read about it. In short: Kenneth Meade Lakin (January 14, 1941 – November 24, 2012) was an American physicist and engineer known for pioneering work on thin-film acoustic resonators. He is widely credited with inventing and developing the solidly mounted resonator (SMR) and advancing the thin-film bulk acoustic resonator (TFBAR) technology used in microwave filters for mobile and wireless communications.

Key takeaways

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Reference excerpt

Kenneth Meade Lakin (January 14, 1941 – November 24, 2012) was an American physicist and engineer known for pioneering work on thin-film acoustic resonators. He is widely credited with inventing and developing the solidly mounted resonator (SMR) and advancing the thin-film bulk acoustic resonator (TFBAR) technology used in microwave filters for mobile and wireless communications.

Biography Lakin was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, to Mabel (Meade) and Harold Lakin, and grew up in Portland, Michigan. He earned B.S. and M.S. degrees in physics, mathematics, and electrical engineering from the University of Michigan, and a Ph.D. in applied physics from Stanford University in 1969. He died at home near Redmond, Oregon, on November 24, 2012, following an extended illness.

Career From 1969 to 1980, Lakin was on the faculty of the University of Southern California, conducting research on surface acoustic wave (SAW) devices, thin-film resonators, and piezoelectric film growth and characterization. In 1980 he joined Ames Laboratory/Iowa State University, where he founded the Microelectronics Research Center (MRC) and served there until 1989. In 1989, Lakin founded TFR Technologies, Inc. in Oregon, serving as president and CEO. Under his leadership the company advanced thin-film resonator devices and filters, and participated in multiple U.S. SBIR programs related to thin-film resonator microwave-acoustic filters. He retired from TFR Technologies in 2005.

Research and legacy Lakin's work established the practical SMR structure—depositing a piezoelectric thin film on an acoustic Bragg reflector to confine energy and enable high-frequency operation on generic substrates—leading to compact, manufacturable BAW filters for RF front ends. He authored more than 100 technical publications and was granted at least 21 U.S. patents covering resonators, filters, and fabrication methods. His 2005 review article in IEEE Transactions on Ultrasonics, Ferroelectrics, and Frequency Control summarized thin-film resonator technology and influenced academic and industrial development of BAW filters used in mobile phones and wireless infrastructure.

Awards and honors Walter G. Cady Award (2003), IEEE Ultrasonics, Ferroelectrics, and Frequency Control Society—for “outstanding and innovative work leading to the development of miniature, thin film resonator filters in commercially viable products.” IEEE Fellow (effective January 1, 2004), “for contributions to thin-film resonator technology and applications.” IEEE UFFC Society Achievement Award (2010), recognizing pioneering contributions to AlN-based BAW/SMR devices and filters.

Selected publications Lakin, K. M. (2005). “Thin film resonator technology.” IEEE Trans. Ultrason., Ferroelectr., Freq. Control 52(5): 707–716. doi:10.1109/TUFFC.2005.1503959.

Selected patents Lakin, K. M. (1998). “Method and apparatus for fabricating a piezoelectric resonator to a resonant frequency.” U.S. Patent 5,630,949 (assignee: TFR Technologies, Inc.). Lakin, K. M. (1997). “Method for optimizing piezoelectric resonator-based networks.” U.S. Patent 5,404,628 (assignee: TFR Technologies, Inc.).

See also Thin film bulk acoustic resonator Bulk acoustic wave RF filter

External links Ames National Laboratory (history and programs): https://www.ameslab.gov/ Microelectronics Research Center (Iowa State University): https://www.mrc.iastate.edu/

References

Worked examples

Example 1 — a first encounter with Kenneth Meade Lakin

Start with the simplest possible case. Write down what Kenneth Meade Lakin claims or describes in one sentence, then invent the smallest concrete situation in which that sentence is true. In astronomy, the smallest case is usually a single object, a single equation or a single measurement. Check that every symbol or term in your sentence has a meaning in that case.

Example 2 — changing one variable

Take the situation from Example 1 and change exactly one quantity: double it, halve it, or set it to zero. Predict what should happen to Kenneth Meade Lakin before you calculate. Comparing your prediction with the result is the fastest way to find out whether you understand the idea or only the words.

Example 3 — an exam-style question

Typical questions about Kenneth Meade Lakin ask you to (a) state it precisely, (b) apply it to given data, and (c) explain a limitation. Practise writing all three answers in under five minutes; the third part is what separates a full-mark answer from an average one.

Applications of Kenneth Meade Lakin

In research: Kenneth Meade Lakin appears in astronomy research whenever the underlying quantities have to be modelled precisely. Papers usually cite it as a starting assumption and then explore where it breaks down.
In technology and industry: Engineering practice reuses Kenneth Meade Lakin in design rules, simulations and safety margins. Knowing the idea lets you read a specification sheet and understand why the numbers look the way they do.
In the classroom: Kenneth Meade Lakin is common in secondary-school and first-year university syllabi. It links to neighbouring topics 1941 births, 2012 deaths, American electrical engineers, so understanding it makes those chapters shorter.
In everyday life: Look for Kenneth Meade Lakin outside the textbook — in sport, cooking, traffic, electronics or the sky above you. An example you found yourself is remembered far longer than one you were given.

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How to study Kenneth Meade Lakin in 20 minutes

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Frequently asked questions

What is Kenneth Meade Lakin in simple terms?

Why does Kenneth Meade Lakin matter?

Because it connects several astronomy ideas at once: it gives you a definition you can apply, a quantity you can calculate, and a way to check whether a result is plausible.

How should I study Kenneth Meade Lakin?

Read the excerpt, restate it from memory, then work through the examples and applications listed on this page. The five-step study plan above takes about twenty minutes.

What does this page cover?

It gives you a compact reference excerpt plus original lgStudy explanations, examples, applications and study material on Kenneth Meade Lakin.