Monitor Quartz Crystal for Thin Film Deposition Control 

UniversityWafer supplies high-quality monitor quartz crystals for thin film deposition control, quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) systems, evaporation, sputtering, optical coating, and semiconductor processing. Available with gold, silver, alloy, or blank electrodes in multiple frequencies and diameters, our quartz monitor crystals provide accurate film thickness monitoring and long-term stability for research and production applications.

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Request a Quote for Monitor Quartz Crystals

Researchers frequently request monitor quartz crystals for thin film deposition control, quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) systems, evaporation, sputtering, and optical coating applications.

Research Inquiry:

"Do you have monitor quartz crystals for thin film deposition control?"

Yes. UniversityWafer supplies high-quality monitor quartz crystals with gold, silver, alloy, and blank electrode options for a wide variety of vacuum deposition systems.

Popular Monitor Quartz Crystal Options

Frequency Contour Diameter Electrode
6 MHz 3 Diopter Plano-Convex 13.97 mm Alloy
6 MHz 3 Diopter Plano-Convex 13.97 mm Gold

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Choosing the Right Quartz Monitor Crystal

Selecting the correct monitor quartz crystal depends on your deposition process, coating material, operating temperature, and deposition rate.

  • Gold crystals provide excellent chemical stability and are ideal for monitoring gold, silver, copper, and other low-stress metal films.
  • Silver crystals are commonly used in higher heat-load processes such as sputtering and certain oxide depositions.
  • Alloy crystals are recommended for dielectric and optical coatings, including SiO, SiO2, MgF2, TiO2, and similar high-stress thin films.

Cleanroom Packaging Options

Quartz monitor crystal packagingTo protect delicate crystal surfaces during shipping and storage, monitor quartz crystals are available in several cleanroom packaging options:

  1. Black carousel dispenser with vacuum-sealed packaging (10 crystals)
  2. White carousel dispenser with vacuum-sealed packaging (10 crystals)
  3. Compact cleanroom box with vacuum bags and dust-free paper sleeves (5 crystals)

Monitor Quartz Crystals

Advantages of Quartz Monitor Crystals

Quartz monitor crystals are used in thin film deposition systems to measure and control coating thickness during evaporation, sputtering, optical coating, and semiconductor processing. Their stable frequency response makes them ideal for quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) monitoring and film thickness control.

The plano-convex crystal design helps suppress unwanted vibration modes for improved accuracy. AT-cut quartz crystals provide stable performance across a wide operating temperature range, while high-quality electrode adhesion improves reliability and service life.

  • Stable frequency response for thin film deposition control
  • Plano-convex contour for improved measurement accuracy
  • Gold, silver, alloy, and blank crystal options
  • Compatible with many common sensor heads and deposition systems
  • Cleanroom processed to reduce particulate contamination
  • 100% tested for frequency and activity before shipment

Quartz Monitor Crystal Manufacturing

Quartz monitor crystals are manufactured from high-Q quartz material using controlled cutting, lapping, contouring, cleaning, and electrode plating steps. Each process step is designed to support accurate frequency response, low resistance, and reliable performance in vacuum deposition systems.

Gold and silver electrode coatings are commonly used to extend electrode life and improve performance in demanding thin film processes. Gold crystals are widely used for general-purpose deposition monitoring, while silver and alloy crystals may be preferred for higher heat loads, optical coatings, or dielectric materials.

Popular Quartz Monitor Crystal Options

Crystal Type Common Frequency Diameter Best Used For
Chrome/Gold 5 MHz or 6 MHz 12.45 mm or 13.97 mm General thin film deposition, evaporation, and QCM monitoring
Aluminum/Silver 6 MHz 13.97 mm Processes requiring silver electrode performance and stable activity
Chrome/Silver 5 MHz or 6 MHz 13.97 mm Sputtering, higher heat loads, and selected oxide deposition processes
Alloy 6 MHz 13.97 mm Optical coating and dielectric materials such as SiO, SiO2, MgF2, and TiO2
Blank Quartz 5 MHz or 6 MHz Custom options Custom electrode designs and specialized research applications

Typical Technical Specifications

Specification Typical Value
Frequency Options 5.000 MHz and 6.000 MHz
Nominal Frequency Common options include 4.960 MHz, 4.995 MHz, 5.983 MHz, and 6.060 MHz
Adjustment Tolerance ±7 kHz or ±10 kHz at 25°C, depending on crystal type
Crystal Cut AT, IT, IT/SC, or custom options
Oscillation Mode Fundamental mode
Resonance Resistance <15 Ω typical; selected blank quartz options may be 20 Ω
Shunt Capacitance <7 pF
Operating Temperature 0°C to +70°C
Storage Temperature -40°C to +105°C
Diameter Options 12.45 mm and 13.97 mm
Electrode Options Chrome/Gold, Aluminum/Silver, Chrome/Silver, alloy, or blank

Quartz Monitor Crystals for Thin Film Deposition

Researchers and process engineers use monitor quartz crystals to control film thickness during metal deposition, dielectric coating, optical coating, semiconductor processing, and vacuum evaporation. UniversityWafer can quote gold, silver, alloy, and blank quartz monitor crystals based on your frequency, diameter, electrode, and packaging requirements.

Need help selecting the right quartz monitor crystal? Include your required frequency, crystal diameter, electrode coating, sensor head compatibility, deposition material, and quantity when requesting a quote.

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