[time-nuts] Grinding crystals...

[Jim Lux]

On 6/20/13 4:57 PM, Gary wrote:
> A common scheme in metal deposition measurement is to measure the frequency of a crystal prior to starting the deposition process, then monitoring the frequency shift of the crystal as the metal is sputtered.
>
> I was told crystals are tuned this way at the factory, but don't know this for a fact.


it's also how particle counters based on "piezobalance" work. The 
particles hit the crystal and stick, lowering its frequency.