piezoKristallen

PiezoKristallen are crystalline materials that exhibit piezoelectricity, the coupling between mechanical and electrical states. When subjected to mechanical stress they generate an electric charge, and when an electric field is applied they deform. This effect occurs in crystals lacking a center of symmetry and enables efficient conversion between electrical and mechanical energy. PiezoKristallen are widely used in timing, sensing, actuation and transduction.

Common materials include quartz (SiO2), tourmaline and certain ceramic compounds such as lead zirconate titanate (PZT), lithium niobate and lithium tantalate. Quartz remains dominant in many applications because of its stability, low aging and high quality factors, while ceramics offer higher piezoelectric coefficients and can be engineered for specific properties. Crystals can be natural or synthetic, with ceramic piezoelectrics often produced in large, uniform pieces.

Cuts and resonators: For quartz, specific crystal cuts (such as AT-cut, BT-cut or SC-cut) tailor temperature behavior and frequency characteristics. When used as resonators, piezoKristallen vibrate at precise frequencies, enabling highly stable oscillators. The standard watch crystal at 32.768 kHz is a notable example of a quartz resonator, frequently operated in overtone modes to achieve higher frequencies.

Applications: PiezoKristallen underpin timing and frequency control in electronics, sensors (pressure, acceleration, force), actuators and ultrasonic transducers for medical imaging, nondestructive testing and industrial sensing. Related devices include surface acoustic wave (SAW) and thin-film bulk acoustic resonator (FBAR) technologies that exploit piezoelectric effects at smaller scales.

History: The piezoelectric effect was discovered in 1880 by the Curie brothers. The term derives from the Greek piezein, to press, reflecting the energy conversion between mechanical pressure and electric signals. Regulatory considerations apply to lead-based piezoelectrics in some regions, promoting alternative materials.