Frequency Control & Timing: Quartz Crystal Wafer
If your oscillator drifts more than spec allows once it's out of the lab and into a real operating environment, cut orientation is usually the first thing worth re-checking.
Cut Orientation Determines Whether Your Oscillator Holds Frequency
A crystal oscillator that performs perfectly on the bench but drifts once it's operating across a real-world temperature range isn't necessarily a circuit design problem — the quartz cut orientation sets the frequency-vs-temperature curve before the circuit ever comes into play. AT-cut, BT-cut, SC-cut, and others each trade off frequency range, temperature stability, and mounting sensitivity differently.
Jingxin New Materials produces synthetic single crystal quartz wafers at our ISO 9001:2015 / ISO 14001:2015 certified facility in Zhuji, Zhejiang, supplying manufacturers of crystal oscillators and resonators used in communication, industrial, and consumer electronics.
AT-cut holds a flat, cubic curve across a wide temperature range — the reason it's the default general-purpose choice. BT-cut trends more linearly and suits different frequency targets.
Common Frequency Control Applications
The right cut depends less on "which is best" and more on what your device has to hold stable, and for how long.
Quartz Oscillator on PCB
The finished component your wafer becomes once cut, plated, and packaged.
Clock & Timing Circuit
Oscillators paired with clock ICs to keep a system's timing in sync.
CUT
General-Purpose Oscillators
The problem: Most oscillator designs need solid, predictable frequency-temperature behavior across a standard operating range without exotic processing.
Why it matters: AT-cut is the most widely used general-purpose orientation for exactly this reason — broad frequency range, well-understood behavior.
CUT
Precision Reference Oscillators
The problem: Test/measurement and navigation equipment need timing references with minimal sensitivity to mounting stress and vibration.
Why it matters: SC-cut trades more complex processing for lower mounting-stress sensitivity — worth it when precision matters more than cost.
CUT
Higher-Frequency Designs
The problem: Some designs need to push higher into the frequency range than a standard AT-cut comfortably supports.
Why it matters: BT-cut behaves similarly to AT-cut but with a different frequency constant, useful for higher-frequency operation.
Cut
Industrial & Communication Timing
The problem: Base station and industrial timing equipment often has specific frequency and stability requirements that don't map neatly to a single "default" cut.
Why it matters: Confirming your actual operating requirements before ordering avoids re-qualifying a different cut mid-production.
Quartz Wafer Specifications
What we currently produce, and what to confirm before you place an order.
Different cuts support different frequency ranges and temperature behavior — confirm your target frequency and stability requirements so we can match the right orientation. "ST" cut is on our spec sheet but availability varies; confirm with us before ordering.
Match diameter to your device size and production volume before ordering.
Customizable within this range — thinner wafers generally support higher-frequency designs. Have your target thickness ready when you reach out.
Standard scratch/dig spec across our production line.
Standard for all wafers we ship, without additional processing requests.
If your device operates across a wide temperature swing, cut orientation choice matters more — tell us your expected range before ordering. Discuss your design →
Not sure which cut applies to your design? Send us your frequency and stability requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which cut orientation should I choose?
It depends on your target frequency range and temperature stability requirements — AT-cut is the most common general-purpose choice. Contact us with your specification and we'll confirm what's available.
What's the minimum thickness you can supply?
Our current quartz wafer thickness range is 0.08mm to 0.35mm, customizable within that range.
Do you supply quartz for SAW filters as well as timing devices?
Yes — the same synthetic α-quartz material is used for both. See our SAW Filters & RF Front-End page.
My oscillator drifts under vibration — does cut orientation affect that?
Yes — mounting-stress sensitivity varies by cut. SC-cut is specifically designed to reduce this sensitivity if vibration is a known issue in your application.
Need Quartz Wafers for Your Timing Device?
Tell us your target frequency, cut orientation, and operating environment — we'll get back with a quote.