Piezoelectric materials - from bulk crystals to thin films and nanostructures

A new method for the improvement of the Q factor of quartz crystal resonators based on the use of an over layer of single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) are considered. The suppression of loss mechanisms in an AT-cut quartz resonator operating in thickness shear mode may be obtained using an over layer of SWNTs, and the resulting increase in the Q factor of the resonator makes up, 100%.The increase in the Q factor of the resonators is thought to arise due to suppression of surface loss modes due to interaction of the carbon nanotubes with the quartz resonator surface. The use of SWNTs provides a very effective and simple way to improve the performance of quartz resonators.