• The Electromechanical Effect

The crystal oscillator is an electromechanical device made of a quartz crystal with low electrical loss, which is cut precisely and later plated with electrodes. This crystal has a very important characteristic. If energized, it will produce mechanical oscillation. On the contrary, if given mechanical force, it will generate electricity.

• The Structure of the Crystal

This characteristic is called the electromechanical effect. They have a very important feature, and their oscillation frequency is closely related to their shape, material, cutting direction and so on. The chemical properties of quartz crystals are very stable, so the coefficient of thermal expansion is very small, and the oscillation frequency is also very stable. Since the control geometry can be very precise, the resonance frequency is also very accurate.

• How a Crystal Oscillator Works with an IC 

According to the electromechanical effect of the quartz crystal, we can equivalent it to an electromagnetic oscillation circuit, ie, a resonant circuit. Their electromechanical effect is the constant conversion of machine-electric-machine-electric… The resonant circuit composed of inductor and capacitor is the constant conversion of electric field-magnetic field. The application in the circuit is actually regarded as a high Q electromagnetic resonant circuit. Since the loss of the quartz crystal is very small, ie, the Q value is very high, when used as an oscillator, a very stable oscillation can be generated .