Quartz is one of most versatile materials when it comes to electronics. It has a variety of uses and is found in many electrical devices, from your mobile phone, laptop, and TV to GPS systems and industrial control systems. But why is quartz used in electronics?
The main reason quartz is used in electronics is its ability to oscillate at a very precise frequency. Quartz crystals have ability to vibrate at a very consistent frequency when exposed to a voltage or current, and this property makes them ideal for use in electronic oscillators. Oscillators are used in many different types of electronic circuitry, and they are integral to communication systems and digital electronic devices. In communication systems, they are used to generate and transmit signals at a very precise frequency, while in digital electronic devices, they are used to synchronize main clock of circuit.
Quartz also has an extremely high melting point (nearly 5,000°F) and a very low thermal expansion coefficient, making it ideal for use in temperature-sensitive electronics such as thermometers and flow meters. The temperature coefficient of quartz is also very low, meaning that its frequency is almost unaffected by changes in temperature. This makes quartz an excellent choice for use in thermoelectric devices such as thermocouples, which are widely used in industrial process control.
Quartz is also widely used in radio frequency applications due to its low dielectric loss. It has a low insertion loss and low attenuation, which means that it is ideal for use in filters and resonators. Quartz is also used in distributed feedback laser diode applications, where it helps to prevent laser light from being scattered or absorbed by its surroundings.
Finally, quartz is well known for its resistance to corrosion and electrical breakdown. This makes it perfect for environment-sensitive electronics, such as deep sea applications, as it is able to resist pressure and corrosive elements of salt water.
In conclusion, quartz is one of most widely used materials in electronics due to its unique combination of properties. Its ability to oscillate at a very precise frequency, its high melting point, low thermal expansion coefficient, low dielectric loss, and resistance to corrosion and electrical breakdown make it an ideal choice for use in a variety of applications.