Low-Earth-orbit proton and gamma ionization effects in piezoelectric alpha quartz crystal resonators

The susceptibility of piezoelectric quartz crystal resonators to low-Earth-orbit ionizing radiation degrades the performance of satellite communication systems. A study was initiated to investigate the interaction of proton radiation with the piezoelectric quartz crystals. This type of radiation is shown to interact more effectively with the quartz crystal resonators when they have adhered electrodes. It is found that these crystals interact more efficiently with protons when compared with electrodeless resonators. Impurities introduced by electrodes directly attached to the quartz crystal blank account for the increased radiation response of piezoelectric quartz crystals. The interaction of protons with the quartz lattice introduces a change in the piezoelectric parameters and, in turn, a change in resonance frequency