piezocrystal
Dateca. 1930-1960
Inventory Number1997-1-1525
ClassificationCrystal
Subject
User
Frederick Vinton Hunt
1905 - 1972
Maker
American
?
Cultural Region
Place of Use
Dimensions7.8 x 30 x 7.4 cm (3 1/16 x 11 13/16 x 2 15/16 in.)
Material
DescriptionVery large, white transluscent crystal. Rectangular shape with pyramidal ends.
Signedunsigned
Inscribedsticker on crystal (D.Wheatland's handwriting): Piezo- / crystal
sticker on crystal (D.Wheatland's handwriting): from / F.V. Hunt / 7-7-70
FunctionA piezocrystal is a crystal that is used for its piezoelectric properties.
When a pressure is applied to a crystal, a voltage is created between its compressed ends. Conversely, if a voltage is applied to a crystal, it compresses or expands. This property makes crystals central elements in modern electronics. They were used to make devices such as microphones, and especially to create oscillators in which the crystal compresses and expands at a definite frequency in conjunction with an electric circuit. Crystal oscillators were the basis of electronic frequency standards for radio transmission and for making precise, non-mechanical clocks.
This very large crystal would probably be sliced up into thin wafers for use in actual circuits.
When a pressure is applied to a crystal, a voltage is created between its compressed ends. Conversely, if a voltage is applied to a crystal, it compresses or expands. This property makes crystals central elements in modern electronics. They were used to make devices such as microphones, and especially to create oscillators in which the crystal compresses and expands at a definite frequency in conjunction with an electric circuit. Crystal oscillators were the basis of electronic frequency standards for radio transmission and for making precise, non-mechanical clocks.
This very large crystal would probably be sliced up into thin wafers for use in actual circuits.
ProvenanceFrederick Vinton Hunt, 1970.
Frederick Vinton Hunt
Date: circa 1960
Accessories: box
Object number: 1997-1-1150
Frederick Vinton Hunt
Date: circa 1937
Accessories: wooden base and glass cover; black and white photograph of arm (1998-1-0363b)
Object number: 1998-1-0363a
Frederick Vinton Hunt
Date: 1937
Accessories: black frame
Object number: 1998-1-0363b
Frederick Vinton Hunt
Date: circa 1936
Accessories: Used to be two file cabinets, but one was deaccessioned. Cabinet one (deaccessioned) had 4 drawers; Cabinet two (extant) has two.
Object number: 1998-1-1519
Frederick Vinton Hunt
Date: 1930-1945
Object number: 1996-1-0731
Frederick Vinton Hunt
Date: circa 1938
Object number: RS1098b