Crystal oscillator - Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A crystal oscillator, or system crystal, is a part of a computer. The computer uses it like a clock to keep track of time. It makes use of the mechanical resonance of the vibrating crystal, which has piezoelectric properties, in order to obtain an electric signal with a high-precision frequency. Crystal oscillators are considered superior to ceramic resonators as they have higher stability, higher quality, lower cost and are smaller in size.^[1]

These oscillators are usually made of Quartz crystal, even though other substances like Rochelle salt and Tourmaline exhibit the piezoelectric effect because, quartz is inexpensive, naturally-available and mechanically-strong when compared to others.^[2]