5MHz Full-Plating Gold Electrode Crystal

Part No:AC5AF12

Wafer Diameter12.42mm ± 0.03mm
Nominal Frequency5.000MHz

This product features a dual-sided electrode structure, achieving exceptional symmetry in charge distribution. For this 5MHz crystal, the design acts as a 'stabilizer' that leverages the mechanical resilience of its thicker quartz substrate. By ensuring uniform stress distribution even under high-stress film deposition, it effectively eliminates measurement jumps during monitoring and significantly enhances the robustness and reliability of the entire thin-film deposition system.

5MHz Full-Plating Gold Electrode Crystal - AC5AF12 Image
5MHz Full-Plating Gold Electrode Crystal - AC5AF12 Sample Image

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12mm-5MHz-Gold-Plated Precision Monitoring Crystal: Engineered for High-Durability Vacuum Coating Processes

The AC5AD12 is a 5MHz quartz crystal specifically designed for demanding vacuum coating applications requiring high mechanical robustness. Featuring a compact 12mm wafer diameter and a high-performance gold-plated electrode, this product utilizes the inherent chemical stability and ultra-low contact resistance of gold to ensure reliable monitoring for materials such as gold, silver, and copper. With its thicker quartz substrate compared to 6MHz models, the AC5AD12 offers superior durability and long-term stability, serving as a critical component for achieving consistent thickness monitoring in high-throughput production environments.

Process Advantages of Gold-Plated Electrodes

Superior Electrical Conductivity: The gold-plated electrode minimizes signal attenuation, ensuring precise data acquisition at the 5MHz resonant frequency—ideal for heavy-duty deposition processes that require stable, high-sensitivity feedback. Excellent Chemical Stability: As a noble metal coating, the gold electrode effectively resists oxidation and environmental corrosion, maintaining a stable resonance resistance (≤15Ω) even after multiple evaporation cycles, thereby preventing invalid frequency jumps. Optimized Stress Management: Through our proprietary electrode anchor design (2 anchors), the AC5AD12 optimizes stress transfer efficiency onto the quartz substrate, significantly mitigating film stress jitter during long-term monitoring and substantially enhancing the reliability of complex OLED and semiconductor coating processes.

Advanced Dual-Sided Electrode Architecture

This product features a dual-sided electrode structure, achieving exceptional symmetry in charge distribution. For the 5MHz AC5AD12, this design acts as a 'stabilizer' that leverages the mechanical resilience of the thicker quartz substrate. By ensuring uniform stress distribution even under high-stress film deposition, it effectively eliminates measurement jumps during monitoring and significantly enhances the robustness and reliability of the entire thin-film deposition system.

Product Specifications

Part NoAC5AF12
Nominal Frequency5.000MHz
Center Frequency4.995MHz
Frequency Tolerance±8KHz@25°C
Wafer Diameter12.42mm ± 0.03mm
Resonance Resistance≤15Ω
Crystal CuttingAT-CUT
Electrode MaterialGold(Au) / Chrome(Cr)
Operating Temperature25°C ~ 75°C
Electrode AppearanceFull coated
Storage Temperature-20°C ~ +85°C
Storage HumidityRH 30~50%
Storage LifeUnlimited storage life

applications of the quartz monitor crystal

FAQS

Find answers to the most frequently asked questions .

Is this crystal compatible with INFICON monitoring instruments?

Yes, the AC5AF12 is designed for full compatibility with standard 12mm sensor heads, including those from INFICON and other major industry-standard monitoring systems.

What are the advantages of gold electrodes over silver electrodes?

Gold electrodes offer superior chemical stability and lower contact resistance. They are particularly resistant to oxidation in complex vacuum environments, ensuring more reliable performance and a longer operational lifespan than silver electrodes in high-precision monitoring tasks.

What is the difference between 5MHz and 6MHz crystals in application?

The 5MHz crystal features a thicker quartz substrate, which provides higher mechanical strength and better durability during long-duration, high-thickness deposition processes. While 6MHz offers higher sensitivity for thinner films, 5MHz is favored in industrial applications where crystal longevity and robustness against stress are prioritized.

Why is a gold electrode preferred when monitoring gold, silver, or copper?

Gold electrodes provide exceptional chemical inertness, which is crucial for preventing oxidation during long-term monitoring cycles. Furthermore, their extremely low resistance ensures a high signal-to-noise ratio at the 5MHz resonant frequency, effectively minimizing frequency drift and measurement errors caused by electrode degradation.

How does the dual-sided electrode design improve monitoring stability?

The dual-sided electrode structure achieves exceptional charge distribution symmetry. This design acts as a 'stabilizer' that leverages the mechanical resilience of the 5MHz quartz substrate to ensure uniform stress distribution, effectively eliminating measurement jumps during high-stress film deposition.

How can I prevent crystal 'activity dips' or frequency jumps during installation?

Always wear anti-static gloves during handling to prevent contamination. Ensure the crystal is centered correctly within the 12mm sensor head housing. If frequency jumps occur, check for proper electrical contact and verify that the sensor head spring clips are not applying uneven pressure. If the deposited film reaches the maximum recommended thickness, the crystal should be replaced to maintain monitoring accuracy.

How is the storage life of this crystal defined?

The AC5AF12 crystal features a highly stable design with an unlimited theoretical shelf life. However, for optimal performance, we recommend storage in a clean, dry environment with 30-50% RH. Keep the crystals in their original anti-static packaging until use to protect the electrode surface from airborne organic contaminants.

Can this crystal withstand high-temperature evaporation processes?

The AC5AF12 is designed for stable operation within 25°C to 75°C. In high-heat evaporation environments, we highly recommend the use of a water-cooled sensor head to manage radiant heat. Maintaining the crystal within its optimal temperature range is essential to prevent frequency distortion caused by thermal expansion of the quartz substrate.

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