7M20080001

Crystals: Application Field and Working Principle

Crystals have been used for centuries for a variety of reasons and are found in many everyday items that we use without even realizing it. The application fields of crystals includes a wide range of electronics and optical technologies.

Crystals are used in electronics as an active component in various types of electronic systems. Crystal oscillators and clock circuits are an important part of virtually every electronic device and are used in computers, radios and other electronic circuits. Crystals are also used in amplifiers and filters, to provide frequency control of electronic signals and to stabilize the output. In addition to electronic use, crystals have many optical applications as well.

Crystal Oscillators

Crystal oscillators are an important part of many electronic systems. They use an oscillator circuit with a quartz crystal, to provide a frequency reference which is used to control the frequency of the circuit. The quartz crystal is an active component of the circuit, and its design and composition play an important role in the performance of the oscillator.

A crystal oscillator is made up of an oscillator circuit, which is tuned to a specific frequency, and a quartz crystal, which acts as the frequency-determining element. The crystal is connected to two metal plates, called electrodes, and is mounted to the oscillator circuit by a metal frame. When an electrical voltage is applied, the crystal will vibrate at a frequency determined by its size and internal structure.

The frequency of the crystal can be adjusted by varying the applied voltage, or by changing the geometry of the crystal, or by adding impurities to the crystal lattice. The frequency adjustment range is determined by the tolerance of the crystal and can be as small as a few parts per million or as large as 10% of the crystal\'s center frequency.

Use in Optics

Crystals are also used in optical applications, such as laser beams, optical beams and optical lenses. Crystals can be used to focus light into a narrow beam, which is useful for a variety of applications. Crystals are also used in optical filters, to filter out unwanted wavelengths of light. Crystals can also be used to change the polarization of light, which is useful for certain types of imaging.

Crystals are also useful in medical imaging, as they can be used to amplify X-rays and other forms of radiation. By using crystals, doctors can more accurately detect tumors, fractures and other abnormalities in the body. The use of crystals in medical imaging has made it possible to detect cancer earlier and save lives.

Working Principle

The working principle of a crystal oscillator is based on the natural frequency at which a quartz crystal can oscillate when an electric field is applied. Quartz crystals have a naturally high Q factor, which makes them ideal for oscillator applications. The Q factor is the ratio of the energy stored in a system to the energy dissipated in unit time.

When an alternating electrical current is applied to the crystal, the crystal vibrates at its resonant frequency. This frequency is determined by its size and internal structure and can be adjusted by varying the applied voltage or by changing the geometry of the crystal.

The energy of the vibration is then converted into an electrical signal, which is then amplified and used to control the frequency of the oscillator. By controlling the frequency of the oscillator, the output of the oscillator can then be controlled and used to control the operation of an electronic system.

Conclusion

Crystals are very useful components in many electronic and optical systems. They are used in crystal oscillators and clock circuits to provide a frequency reference, in amplifiers and filters to stabilise the output, and in optical applications to focus light or filter out unwanted wavelengths.

Crystals are also used in medical imaging, to amplify X-rays and other forms of radiation. The working principle of a crystal oscillator is based on the natural frequency at which a quartz crystal can oscillate when an electric field is applied.