Voltage-controlled narrowband and wide, variable-range four-segment quartz crystal oscillator

In this work, our goal is to develop a voltage-controlled variable-frequency quartz crystal oscillator with narrowband response, wide, variable frequency range and the capacity to oscillate across the series resonance frequency using a four-segment configuration of a quartz crystal oscillator. In conventional quartz oscillators, the quartz resonator is inserted in the feedback loop between the input and the output of the active circuit, providing sufficient gain and the phase relation. In the oscillator developed here, the quartz crystal resonator is inserted between the loop circuit and the ground potential. The performance of the voltage-controlled variable-frequency oscillator is demonstrated across the series resonance frequency.     

Two-level Voltage-controlled magnetization switch using a ferromagnetic semiconductor resonant-tunneling diode

It is predicted from a simple analytic theory of quantum transport, coupled to the mean-field theory for dilute magnetic semiconductor ferromagnetism, that a resonant-tunneling diode with a ferromagnetic semiconductor well can be engineered to function as a two-level magnetic switch with a large magnetization swing controlled by the applied bias across the device. Self-consistent transport and electrostatics simulations, together with the aforementioned mean-field theory, are used to illustrate a single, sharp transition of the Curie temperature of the system from its equilibrium value to nearly zero for a suitable choice of device parameters.     

A parametric quartz crystal oscillator

Parametric oscillators have been well studied but currently are not used often. Nevertheless, they could be a low-phase noise solution, at least outside the frequency bandwidth of the resonant circuit. The theoretical aspect of parametric oscillations is briefly reviewed in this paper. Indeed, the basic theory of a simple resistance-inductor-capacitor (RLC) circuit working in parametric conditions easily can be extended toward a resonant loop that includes a quartz crystal resonator. Then, as an application, this study is transposed to a quartz crystal oscillator that has been modeled and tested as a first prototype. Simulation results are compared with those actually obtained.     

石英真空计的工作原理

本文介绍石英真空计的原理及石英晶振的特性.     

Determining the short-term instability of quartz oscillator frequencies

Summary The measurement results show that phase shift in the instrument depends but very little on the voltages of the frequencies being compared or the sources of supply, thus providing the possibility of using the above instrument for comparing frequencies of crystal oscillators continuously throughout the day and night with great precision.This instrument in conjunction with the phase shifter can also be used as a phase meter for measuring phase shift with great precision. Thus, the error in measuring a phase difference at 60 kc does not exceed 1 · 10^–4 rad.If required it is possible to raise the precision of frequency deviation measurements by either increasing the sensitivity of the discriminators by means of larger input voltages to the discriminator, or by multiplying the frequencies under comparison.     

Temperature processing of an ultra stable quartz oscillator

Commonly, the required short-term frequency stability of an ultra stable quartz crystal oscillator (USXO) is a few parts in 10^-13 for averaging times of a few seconds. Moreover, the USXO must typically achieve a relative frequency variation of a few parts in 10 ^-10 over a temperature range from -30 to +70°C. Consequently, the USXO has to be ovenized. Basic data concerning the static and dynamic frequency versus temperature effects are first reviewed. These data allow one to evaluate how efficient the thermal regulator must be to achieve the aimed features in terms of temperature sensitivity. Usually the static thermal gain must reach at least 1000. A standard proportional-integral thermal controller, which can eliminate the static error, cannot afford doing this when fast thermal disturbances exist. Here, the thermal filtering must work in accordance with the cut-off frequency of the frequency-temperature transfer function of the quartz resonator. There exist various methods to control the oscillator temperature. The usual method consists of using more than one temperature-controlled-oven. This is often a volume-consuming process. An alternative approach, which is much simpler, is to add a slight compensation upon the feedback control system. Finally, a third way to improve the temperature regulation is based on a distribution of the monitored power. Obviously, a combination of those solutions is possible. Advantages and drawbacks of each of them are discussed in the paper. Practical results are shown and illustrated with 10-MHz USXOs     

The modulational method of quartz crystal oscillator frequency stabilization

A new trend in self-contained (without the use of quantum discriminators) frequency stabilization of an oven controlled crystal oscillator (OCXO) and frequency standard is proposed and discussed. The method developing the trend is called a modulational method and is based on the use of the reference properties of crystal resonator natural bulk vibrations (double-frequency and multi-frequency oscillators are not used in this case). The concept is based on dynamic modulation characteristics of an oscillator, and basic relationships are found for their calculation. The construction principles of the frequency control systems are formulated substantiating mathematically the essence of the method. Basic ratios of modulating signals are determined, the solution of which shows only a slight influence of the modulation signal on the Allan variance and spectral density of an OCXO. The results of the method's practical use are considered. Their subject is the OCXO with the oven system adapted to the ambient temperature and crystal frequency standard with aging rate compensation.     

Performances and limits of a parallel oscillator for electrochemical quartz crystal microbalances

This paper describes a driving circuit for an electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance (EQCM) adapted to a wide range of applications. The oscillator is a Miller-type parallel oscillator using an operational transconductance amplifier (OTA). A theoretical study of the oscillating circuit led to the analytical expression of the microbalance frequency as well as to an overestimation of the error on the mass measurement. The reliability of the EQCM was then experimentally verified through electrochemical copper deposition and dissolution. The limit of operation of the EQCM was also investigated, both analytically and experimentally. This work shows that parallel oscillators using few electronic components allow a very reliable EQCM to be obtained for mass measurements on metallic films, even if they are highly damped.     

The development of the quartz crystal oscillator industry of World War II

This paper offers a history of a critical episode in military and electronics history-the difficult creation of quartz crystal frequency control units for radio communications during World War II. As a means of controlling the frequencies of radio transmitters and receivers, amateur radio hobbyists quickly accepted the quartz crystal oscillator after its initial development in the late 1920s. The military, however, declined to adopt this technology until just prior to World War II. Due to the small market for crystal oscillators, no mass production industry had ever developed to produce this extremely high precision electronic component. As war engulfed the nation, the U.S. Army Signal Corps found itself in the dangerous position of having gambled the integrity of its communications equipment on a component that could not possibly be produced in the quantities immediately needed. This paper looks at the challenges the United States faced in building a crystal manufacturing capability and in supplying this industry with sufficient supplies of raw quartz. A fairly specialized component of communications technology emerged from spare beginnings in prewar amateur radio to become the very foundation of a wide range of electronic devices today.     

Resonance-tunnel-transit diode with coherent tunneling as an oscillator in the submillimeter range

This paper presents an improved method for designing a resonance-tunnel-transit diode that makes it possible to substantially increase its negative dynamic resistance. Pis’ma Zh. Tekh. Fiz. 25, 7–12 (May 26, 1999)     

Double-resonance quartz crystal oscillator and excitation of a resonator immersed in liquid media

In this work we propose a novel circuit design: a double-resonance oscillator. Its oscillation shows two oscillation modes: frequency locking to the quartz crystal resonance and LC resonance oscillation. Transition of the oscillation mode and the strength of oscillation are analyzed and reviewed for the fundamental mode in comparison with a Colpitts oscillator. The experimental results support the estimates of negative resistance for the double-resonance oscillator compared with the LC oscillator.     

High-sensitivity mid-infrared heterodyne spectrometer with a tunable diode laser as a local oscillator

A new mid-IR heterodyne spectrometer, which is intended to be applied for atmospheric and astrophysical studies, is presented. The spectrometer uses a frequency-stabilized tunable diode laser as a local oscillator. Owing to the low output power of available single-mode diode lasers, a newly developed confocal-ring resonator, the diplexer, is used to superimpose the source signal efficiently with that of the local oscillator. Additionally, the diplexer serves as an optical filter that establishes controlled optical feedback between the laser diode and the detector, which allows stable laser operation with linewidths of the order of 1 MHz. The heterodyne signal from the HgCdTe detector is analyzed by means of a 1.4-GHz acousto-optical spectrometer. With this setup we find system temperatures as low as 4400 K (double sideband), that is, approximately a factor of 6 of the quantum limit.     

Achromatic quarter-wave plate using crystalline quartz

Achromatic wave plates are ideal components for use with tunable and multiline laser systems, broadband sources, and in astronomical instrumentation. The present study deals with the design and characteristics of two different quarter-wave achromatic retarders in the 500-700 nm range, using a cascaded system of two birefringent plates. The first of these shows a variation of less than ±0.5°, whereas the second system shows a variation of ±4° where the azimuth remains constant. Finally, a comparison between the two systems is made. The succinct and simple Jones matrix formalism has been used to derive the general expression for the equivalent retardation and azimuth of the combinations. It appears that the proposed arrangement has the promise of producing good achromatic combinations.     

Tunnel diode oscillator circuit for surface impedance measurement of thin films near 20 MHz

We describe and analyse a simple method for the measurement of thin film surface impedance in the frequency range 10–20 MHz. This method is based on the analysis of both the frequency shift and the amplitude variation of the signal in a tunnel diode oscillator circuit inductively coupled to the sample. The sensitivity of the method to the conducting properties of the thin films is a function which is greatly dependent on geometrical parameters and which can be easily optimized and included in the response calculation. The analysis is illustrated by examples with superconducting and normal metal films. The resolution of the measurements is also discussed.     

Hydration and energy dissipation measurements of biomolecules on a piezoelectric quartz oscillator by admittance analyses

By using a 27-MHz piezoelectric quartz oscillator connected with a vector network analyzer, we obtained resonance frequency decreases (-DeltaFwater) and energy dissipation increases (DeltaDwater) during binding of biotinylated bovine serum albumin, biotinylated ssDNA, biotinylated dsDNA, and biotinylated pullulan to a NeutrAvidin-immobilized 27-MHz quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) plate in aqueous solution, as well as in the wet air phase (98% humidity, -DeltaFwet and DeltaDwet) and in the dry air phase (-DeltaFair and DeltaDair). -DeltaFwater indicates the total mass of the molecule, bound water, and vibrated water in aqueous solutions. -DeltaFwet indicates the total mass of the molecule and bound water. -DeltaFair simply shows the real mass of the molecule on the QCM. In terms of results, (-DeltaFwet)/(-DeltaFair) values indicated the bound water ratios per unit biomolecular mass were on the order of pullulan (2.1-2.2) > DNAs = proteins (1.4-1.6) > polystyrene (1.0). The (-DeltaFwater)/(-DeltaFair) values indicated the hydrodynamic water (bound and vibrated water) ratios per unit biomolecular mass were on the order of dsDNA (6.5) > ssDNA = pullulan (3.5-4.4) > proteins (2.4-2.5) > polystyrene (1.0). Energy dissipation parameters per unit mass in water (DeltaDwater/(-DeltaFair)) were on the order of pullulan > dsDNA > ssDNA > proteins > polystyrene. Energy dissipation in the wet and dry air phases (DeltaDwet and DeltaDair) were negligibly small, which indicates even these biomolecules act as elastic membranes in the air phase (without aqueous solution). We obtained a good linear relationship between [(-DeltaFwater)/(-DeltaFair) - 1], which is indicative of hydration and DeltaDwater/(-DeltaFair) of proteins. The aforementioned values suggest that the energy dissipation of proteins was mainly caused by hydration and that proteins themselves are elastic molecules without energy dissipation in aqueous solutions. On the contrary, plots in cases of denatured proteins, DNAs, and pullulans were relatively deviant toward the large hydration and energy dissipation from the theoretical line as perfect elastic materials, meaning that the large energy dissipation occurs because of viscoelastic properties of denatured proteins, linear DNAs, and pullulans in the water phase, in addition to energy dissipation due to the hydration of molecules. These two parameters could characterize various biomolecules with structural properties in aqueous solutions.