Piezoelectric resonator with grid-like electrodes

Claim 2

A piezoelectric resonator with an attenuated spurious frequency response, comprising: a piezoelectric crystal plate having opposite surfaces; a plurality of electrodes in substantially overlying relationship deposited on each of the opposite surfaces defining an electroded area, and providing a primary frequency mode of operation and spurious frequency modes upon suitable energization; at least one of the electrodes comprise a grid-like structure deposited on at least one of the surfaces constructed to provide a substantially uniform distribution of electrical charges over the area of the electrodes, whereby the uniform distribution helps minimize unwanted spurious frequency modes; and the electroded area having a substantially similar mass per unit area as a surrounding unelectroded area such that a difference in natural resonant frequencies between the electroded and the unelectroded areas is minimized.

Claim 3

The piezoelectric resonator of claim 1, wherein the grid-like structure has openings and includes strips, the openings defining spacings which are about the same distance as a thickness of the crystal plate, or less.

Claim 4

The piezoelectric resonator of claim 1, wherein the grid-like structure with openings, includes strips having a width about the same size as the openings, or less.

Claim 5

The piezoelectric resonator of claim 1, wherein the grid-like structure includes strips sufficiently wide to provide a predetermined electrical conductivity.

Claim 6

The piezoelectric resonator of claim 1, wherein the grid-like structure includes strips which are electrically connected.

Claim 7

The piezoelectric resonator of claim 1, wherein the grid-like structure includes strips comprising a heavy metal.

Claim 8

The piezoelectric resonator of claim 1, wherein the grid-like structure comprises a mass per unit area of less than or equal to about 75% of the mass per unit area of a solid electrode.

Claim 9

The piezoelectric resonator of claim 1, wherein the grid-like structure includes strips which are sufficiently thick to provide a predetermined conductivity.

Claim 10

The piezoelectric resonator of claim 1, wherein the grid-like structure includes a substantially uniform pattern in an electroded region.

Claim 11

A piezoelectric resonator with an attenuated spurious frequency response, comprising: a piezoelectric crystal plate having opposite surfaces; a plurality of electrodes in substantially overlying relationship deposited on each of the opposite surfaces defining an electroded area, and providing a primary frequency mode of operation and spurious frequency modes upon suitable energization; at least one of the electrodes comprise an electrically connected grid-like structure deposited on at least one of the surfaces constructed to minimize total electrode weight and provide a substantially uniform distribution of electrical charges over the electroded area, whereby the uniform distribution minimizes unwanted spurious frequency modes; the grid-like structure includes substantially uniformly patterned intersecting strips which provide a predetermined electrical conductivity having spacings between the strips which are about the same as a thickness of the crystal plate; and the electroded area having a substantially similar mass per unit area as a surrounding unelectroded area such that a difference in natural resonant frequencies between the electroded and unelectroded areas is minimized.

Claim 12

A piezoelectric resonator with an attenuated spurious frequency response, comprising: a piezoelectric crystal plate having opposite surfaces; a plurality of electrodes in substantially overlying relationship deposited on each of the opposite surfaces defining an electroded area, and providing a primary frequency mode of operation and spurious frequency modes upon suitable energization; at least one of the electrodes comprise an electrically connected grid-like structure deposited on at least one of the surfaces constructed to minimize total electrode weight and provide a substantially uniform distribution of electrical charges over the electroded area, whereby the uniform distribution minimizes unwanted spurious frequency modes; the grid-like structure includes substantially uniformly patterned intersecting strips which provide a predetermined electrical conductivity having spacings between the strips which are about the same as a thickness of the crystal plate; and the electroded area having a substantially similar mass per unit area as a surrounding unelectroded area such that a difference in natural resonant frequencies between the electroded and unelectroded areas is minimized.