PRODUCT INFORMATION
Double-Ended Tuning Fork Sensors
OVERVIEW
Statek has designed and manufactured quartz-crystal
resonators using photolithographic and chemical milling
methods for over three decades and has applied this
expertise and capability to now offer double-ended tuning-
fork (DETF) force-sensors, as shown in Figure 1.
The resonant frequency of the DETF force-sensor is a
function of its dimensions, electrode configuration, and the
applied force. Compression or extension of the sensor
causes a corresponding change in frequency, as shown in
Figure 2. Once calibrated, measuring this change in
frequency gives the applied force.
Figure 1: A picture of one of Statek’s DETF Force-Sensors
Because the DETF force-sensors operate on frequency-
based priniciples, they are immune to amplitude noise as
well as noise at frequencies other than at the frequency of
the sensor. As a consequence, the signals in the system can
operate at full amplitude, thereby avoiding the noise that
usually plagues low-level measurements.
0
-20,000
-40,000
-60,000
Quartz force-sensors offer further advantages over other
force sensing technologies such as sensitivity, small size,
low mass and stable performance.
We can customize the size of the sensor to fit your
application.
2
dF/F = DP+ EP
-80,000
D = 124 ppm/gram
E = 0.014 ppm/gram2
FEATURES
-100,000
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
800
Highly sensitive
Applied Force (P), grams
Small size
Figure 2: Example of a corresponding change in frequency by applied
force.
Operates based on frequency principles
High signal-to-noise-ratio
Low aging
Designed for customer specific applications
APPLICATIONS
Accelerometers, see Figure 3.
Pressure sensors, see Figure 4.
Figure 3: Cross-section of one type of accelerometer.
TECHNICAL PAPERS
Chuang, Shih S., Force Sensor Using Double-Ended
Tuning Fork Quartz Crystals, Proceedings of the 37th
Annual Frequency Control Symposium, 1983, pp. 248-254.
FURTHER INFORMATION
We invite you to discuss your custom force sensing
requirements with us. Call us at (714) 639-7810, or e-mail
sensors@statek.com.
Figure 4: Schematic of pressure sensor or scale.
10186 - Rev A
STATEK CORPORATION 512 N. MAIN ST., ORANGE, CA 92868 714-639-7810 FAX: 714-997-1256 www.statek.com