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Glite Dictionary
quartz crystal

quartz crystal

1 5.1
A small clear stone cut to make a steady electrical signal for clocks and radios
  • noun
  • /kwɔrts ˈkrɪstl/
  • Specialized
translation icon : cristal de cuarzo
  • A quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) was employed in all dissolution measurements.
  • quartz crystal microbalance
  • quartz crystal deposition controllers

Examples

  • The electronic device operates more efficiently due to the stable frequency generated by the quartz crystal.

  • Quartz crystal discs with gold contacts were coated with polymer films, baked at 130-150 degrees C for 60 s, and mounted on a sensor probe.

    Academic text (2001)

  • This is a quartz crystal.

    Fiction book (1995)

  • This is a smoky quartz crystal.

    Dante's Peak (1997)

  • The CorTemp sensor uses a quartz crystal whose oscillating frequency is sensitive to changes in temperature.

    Academic text (1994)

  • It described the generation of the second harmonic when a ruby laser pulse passes through a quartz crystal.

    Academic text (1993)

  • EZ Field Cal 1, for personal monitoring pumps, uses infrared beams and a quartz crystal timer to measure airflow in an automated bubble-meter format.

    Academic text (1994)

  • The dissolution behavior of chemically amplified resist polymers in aqueous base developer was investigated using a quartz crystal microbalance.

    Academic text (2001)

  • A quartz crystal is essential for ensuring accurate timekeeping in most modern watches.

  • Engineers often choose a quartz crystal for its ability to maintain a consistent frequency in oscillators.

Synonyms

crystal
vsquartz crystal
  • Specialized
75 6.0

A small piece of quartz used in electronics to control signal frequencies

is precisely shaped to produce a stable electrical signal at one frequency
piezoelectric crystal
vsquartz crystal
  • Specialized
1 7.5

A crystal that makes electricity when pressed or bent

is cut to vibrate at a set frequency and generate a steady electrical signal

How Stable

atomic clock
  • Specialized
5 4.3
crystal oscillator
  • Specialized
6.9
quartz crystal
  • Specialized
1 5.1
tuning fork
4 4.5
resonator
  • Specialized
9 7.6

Surface Forms

quartz crystal singular
quartz crystals plural

Morphology

quartz + crystal

The phrase is compositionally clear: a learner who knows 'quartz' and 'crystal' can infer it is a crystal made of quartz. However, the specialized technical sense — a precisely cut component used to generate a stable electronic frequency — is domain-specific and not predictable from the constituents alone, so the transparency is only partial.

Etymology

Quartz crystal comes from the clear stone quartz, cut into a small hard crystal that vibrates like a tiny bell when electricity passes through it. People found this steady vibration makes a 'steady electric signal', so a quartz crystal became the tiny part that keeps watches and radios on time.