Quartz Crystal Resonator M-Plane Face Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing quartz crystal resonators face issues with faulty electrical connections due to the angle and width of non-m-plane faces in AT-cut quartz crystal blanks, which can lead to breakage of extension electrodes during electrode formation.
Innovation Solution
The design includes AT-cut quartz crystal blanks with specific angled and width-optimized m-plane and non-m-plane faces on side surfaces, allowing for gentler electrode extension from one main surface to another, preventing breakage and ensuring proper electrical connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the non-m-plane face abuts on the main surface at an angle slightly larger than a right angle, then the electrode material application is incomplete, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the side surface by introducing an intermediate m-plane face with a specific inclination angle (30°-60°) between the non-m-plane face and the main surface. This parameter modification creates a gentler transition that enables complete electrode material application while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through controlled crystal orientation cutting.
Solution Approach 2:
The side surface is segmented into multiple faces: a non-m-plane face, an intermediate m-plane face with specific inclination, and the main surface. This segmentation allows the electrode extension to proceed in stages with gentler angles, ensuring complete material coverage and reliable electrical connections without requiring excessively complex single-face geometries.
2Reliability
If the extension electrode extends along the non-m-plane face, then the electrode may break at the non-m-plane face, but adding an intermediate m-plane face increases the number of manufacturing steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediate m-plane face with a controlled inclination angle (30°-60°) that creates a gentler transition zone. This parameter change in the surface geometry allows the extension electrode to follow a less steep path, reducing mechanical stress and breakage risk while maintaining a manageable manufacturing process through precise crystal cutting.
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediate m-plane face acts as a mediator between the non-m-plane face and the main surface. This intermediate structure provides a transitional zone with optimal inclination angle that protects the extension electrode from breaking while enabling complete electrode material application, thus facilitating rather than hindering the electrode formation process.
3Reliability
If the m-plane face width is increased to prevent electrode breakage, then the side surface geometry becomes more complex, but electrode reliability improves
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating an intermediate m-plane face with specific inclination angle (30°-60°) and controlled width only in the critical transition zone where the extension electrode passes. This localized geometric modification provides the necessary protection against electrode breakage without making the entire side surface excessively complex, maintaining simplicity in non-critical areas.
Data Source
AI summary
A quartz crystal resonator that includes an AT-cut quartz crystal blank including a first main surface and a second main surface that face each other and each of which has long sides extending in an X-axis direction of the quartz crystal blank and short sides extending in a Z′-axis direction of the quartz crystal blank, and a first side surface and a second side surface that are located adjacent to the long sides of the first main surface and the second main surface; a first excitation electrode and a second excitation electrode; and an extension electrode that extends from the first main surface to the second main surface along the first side surface and that is electrically connected to the first excitation electrode. Each the first and second side surfaces have a first m-plane face and a second m-plane face.