Definitions for "QUARTZ CRYSTAL"
The material used to maintain the heartbeat of a computer.A thin slice of quartz, activated by electrical pulses, vibrates at a steady frequency.
Also called a crystal.
Synthetic quartz is composed of Silicon and Oxygen (Silicon Dioxide SiO2) and is cultured in autoclaves under high pressure and temperature. Quartz exhibits piezoelectric properties that generate an electrical potential when pressure is applied on the surfaces of the crystal. Conversely, when an electrical potential is applied to the surfaces of a crystal, mechanical deformation or vibration is generated. These vibrations occur at a frequency determined by the crystal design and oscillator circuit. Under proper conditions, quartz can be used to stabilize the frequency of an oscillator circuit.