Kenneth Meade Lakin

Kenneth Meade Lakin
Born
Kenneth Meade Lakin

January 14, 1941
Grand Rapids, Michigan, U.S.
DiedNovember 24, 2012 (aged 71)
near Redmond, Oregon, U.S.
Alma materUniversity of Michigan (B.S., M.S.)
Stanford University (Ph.D., 1969)
Known forSolidly mounted resonator (SMR); Thin-film bulk acoustic resonator (TFBAR)
AwardsIEEE UFFC Walter G. Cady Award (2003); IEEE Fellow (2004); IEEE UFFC Achievement Award (2010)
Scientific career
FieldsApplied physics, electrical engineering, acoustics
InstitutionsUniversity of Southern California; Ames Laboratory / Iowa State University; TFR Technologies
Thesis (1969)

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.[1][2]

Biography

Lakin was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, to Mabel (Meade) and Harold Lakin, and grew up in Portland, Michigan.[1] 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.[1] He died at home near Redmond, Oregon, on November 24, 2012, following an extended illness.[1][3]

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.[1] In 1980 he joined Ames Laboratory/Iowa State University, where he founded the Microelectronics Research Center (MRC) and served there until 1989.[1]

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.[4] He retired from TFR Technologies in 2005.[3]

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.[3][5][6]

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.[7]

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.”[8]

IEEE Fellow (effective January 1, 2004), “for contributions to thin-film resonator technology and applications.”[9]

IEEE UFFC Society Achievement Award (2010), recognizing pioneering contributions to AlN-based BAW/SMR devices and filters.[1]

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.[10]

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.).[11]

Lakin, K. M. (1997). “Method for optimizing piezoelectric resonator-based networks.” U.S. Patent 5,404,628 (assignee: TFR Technologies, Inc.).[12]

See also

Ames National Laboratory (history and programs): https://www.ameslab.gov/

Microelectronics Research Center (Iowa State University): https://www.mrc.iastate.edu/

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g "Kenneth Meade Lakin". IEEE Ultrasonics, Ferroelectrics, and Frequency Control Society. November 30, 2016. Retrieved September 6, 2025.
  2. ^ "Kenneth Meade Lakin Obituary". Autumn Funerals (Redmond, OR). Retrieved September 6, 2025.
  3. ^ a b c "Kenneth Meade Lakin Obituary (2012)". Legacy.com. December 2, 2012. Retrieved September 6, 2025.
  4. ^ "THIN FILM RESONATOR MICROWAVE-ACOUSTIC FILTERS (SBIR Award, 1992)". SBIR.gov. Retrieved September 6, 2025.
  5. ^ "Kenneth M. Lakin – Inventions, Patents and Patent Applications". Justia Patents. Retrieved September 6, 2025.
  6. ^ "Patents assigned to TFR Technologies, Inc". Justia Patents. Retrieved September 6, 2025.
  7. ^ Lakin, Kenneth M. (2005). "Thin film resonator technology". IEEE Transactions on Ultrasonics, Ferroelectrics, and Frequency Control. 52 (5): 707–716. Bibcode:2005ITUFF..52..707L. doi:10.1109/TUFFC.2005.1503959. PMID 16048174.
  8. ^ "Walter G. Cady Award – 2003 Recipient: Kenneth Lakin". IEEE UFFC. Retrieved September 6, 2025.
  9. ^ "UFFC-S Newsletter, Number 38 (Spring 2005): 2004 IEEE Fellow Recipient Kenneth Meade Lakin" (PDF). IEEE UFFC. Retrieved September 6, 2025.
  10. ^ Lakin, Kenneth M. (2005). "Thin film resonator technology". IEEE Transactions on Ultrasonics, Ferroelectrics, and Frequency Control. 52 (5): 707–716. Bibcode:2005ITUFF..52..707L. doi:10.1109/TUFFC.2005.1503959. PMID 16048174.
  11. ^ "US 5630949 – Method and apparatus for fabricating a piezoelectric resonator to a resonant frequency". Justia Patents. Retrieved September 6, 2025.
  12. ^ "US 5404628 – Method for optimizing piezoelectric resonator-based networks". Justia Patents. Retrieved September 6, 2025.
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