JP6083144B2 - Vibrating piece, vibrating element, vibrator, electronic device, electronic apparatus, moving body, and method of manufacturing vibrating piece - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a vibrating piece, a vibrating element, a vibrator, an electronic device, an electronic device, a moving body, and a method for manufacturing the vibrating piece.

  Quartz resonators that use quartz resonators that are excited by thickness shear vibration are suitable for miniaturization and higher frequency, and have excellent frequency-temperature characteristics. Used in. In particular, in recent years, with the reduction in size and thickness of various electronic devices such as mobile phones and computers, there has been an increasing demand for further downsizing and thickness reduction of crystal units used therefor.

However, when trying to reduce the size of the crystal unit, the distance between the vibration region and the holding part becomes close, so that the vibration energy leaks and the CI (crystal impedance = equivalent resistance of the crystal unit) is reduced or the main vibration is reduced. In the vicinity of the resonance frequency of the thickness-shear vibration, a spurious attributed to an unnecessary vibration mode such as a thickness bending vibration depending on the outline dimension of the quartz crystal vibrating piece is generated. There has been a problem that non-continuous fluctuations, such as so-called anomalous activity dips, occur. On the other hand, in Patent Document 1, in order to reduce the CI value and avoid the coupling between the main vibration and the bending vibration, the mesa portion of the mesa crystal unit is inclined not in the vertical direction but in the X-axis direction, For example, an AT-cut quartz crystal vibrating piece is disclosed in which the inclination angle of one side surface is 35 ° and the inclination angle of the other side surface is 63 °.
Further, in Patent Document 2, it is possible to suppress the bending vibration by designing the antinodes of the bending vibration generated in the vibration direction of the thickness-shear vibration to match the edge of the mesa portion and the edge of the excitation electrode. Is disclosed.
Further, Patent Document 3 discloses that an inclined surface due to the etching anisotropy of crystal appears on the side surface in the X-axis direction of the crystal vibrating piece.

JP 2001-230655 A JP 2006-340023 A JP 2010-283660 A

In the crystal resonator element disclosed in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 described above, when further miniaturization is intended, the X-axis direction, which is the vibration direction of the thickness-shear vibration of the excitation unit, that is, the long side direction of the resonator element. There was a problem that sufficient suppression of flexural vibration was not obtained.
Accordingly, the problem in providing a small vibrating piece and a manufacturing method thereof in the present invention is firstly the reduction of the influence of the thickness bending vibration mode generated in the vibration direction of the thickness-shear vibration of the quartz substrate, and secondly the CI. The value is reduced, and thirdly, the frequency temperature characteristic is improved.

SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to solve at least a part of the problems described above, and the invention can be implemented as the following forms or application examples.
[Mode 1] A method of manufacturing a resonator element according to the present mode includes an X-axis that is a crystal axis of crystal, and a Y-axis side of a Y-axis that is a crystal axis with the X-axis being a rotation axis and the Z-axis being a crystal axis Obtained by rotating the Y axis, which is the crystal axis, to the −Z axis side of the Z axis, which is the crystal axis, with the plane including the Z ′ axis obtained by rotating to the main surface and the X axis as the rotation axis Preparing a rotated Y-cut quartz substrate having a thickness in the Y′-axis direction, and etching at least one of the plurality of side surfaces intersecting the X-axis of the rotated Y-cut quartz substrate; Etching the rotated Y-cut quartz substrate so as to be formed.
According to this embodiment, even if the vibrating piece of the rotating Y-cut quartz substrate is reduced in size, the etching is performed so that at least four surfaces are formed on the side surface on the X-axis side, thereby depending on the contour size of the quartz vibrating piece. It is possible to manufacture a resonator element that suppresses the influence of the thickness bending vibration mode. In addition, since an unnecessary bending vibration mode is suppressed, a resonator element with a reduced CI value can be manufactured. Furthermore, there is an effect that a resonator element with improved frequency temperature characteristics can be manufactured.
[Mode 2] In the method for manufacturing a resonator element according to the above mode, the etching step includes a step of reducing the thickness of the rotating Y-cut quartz substrate by 10% or more.
According to the present embodiment, even if the vibrating piece of the rotated Y-cut quartz substrate is reduced in size, the etching is performed so that the thickness in the Y′-axis direction is reduced by 10% or more. A resonator element in which a surface is formed and the influence of the thickness bending vibration mode depending on the outline dimension of the crystal resonator element is further suppressed can be manufactured. Moreover, since an unnecessary bending vibration mode is suppressed, a resonator element with a further reduced CI value can be manufactured. Furthermore, there is an effect that it is possible to manufacture a resonator element having further improved frequency temperature characteristics.
[Mode 3] In the method for manufacturing a resonator element according to the above mode, in the etching step, the thickness of the rotating Y-cut quartz substrate in the Y′-axis direction is reduced within a range of 10% to less than 15%. It is characterized by.
According to this embodiment, even if the vibrating piece of the rotated Y-cut quartz substrate is reduced in size, by etching so that the thickness in the Y′-axis direction is reduced within a range of 10% or more and less than 15%, Since four surfaces are formed on the side surfaces and the influence of the thickness bending vibration mode depending on the contour size of the quartz crystal vibrating piece can be suppressed, there is an effect that a vibrating piece having improved frequency temperature characteristics can be manufactured.
[Mode 4] In the method for manufacturing a resonator element according to the above mode, the etching step is performed by wet etching.
According to this embodiment, by performing the etching by wet etching, there is an effect that a new crystal plane generated by the wet etching can be used with the crystal anisotropy of the crystal.
[Mode 5] In the method for manufacturing a resonator element according to the above mode, in the etching step, a first mask is arranged on a main surface on the + Y′-axis side of the rotated Y-cut quartz substrate, and the −Y′-axis side is arranged. A step of disposing a second mask on a main surface, wet-etching the rotary Y-cut quartz crystal substrate through the first mask and the second mask, and forming an outer shape of the vibrating piece; Removing the second mask; and wet-etching the resonator element to form the at least four surfaces on at least one of the side surfaces.
According to the present embodiment, two surfaces are formed on the side surface on the X-axis side by the step of forming the outer shape of the resonator element by wet etching the quartz crystal substrate, and then further etching the resonator element by wet etching. Since at least four surfaces can be formed, it is possible to manufacture a resonator element that can suppress the influence of the thickness bending vibration mode and improve the frequency temperature characteristics.
[Mode 6] In the method for manufacturing a resonator element according to the above mode, the at least four surfaces are arranged in the Y′-axis direction.
According to this embodiment, there is an effect that at least four planes can use crystal planes generated with crystal anisotropy of quartz.
[Mode 7] The resonator element according to this mode rotates the X axis that is the crystal axis of crystal and the Z axis that is the crystal axis to the −Y axis side of the Y axis that is the crystal axis with the X axis as the rotation axis. Y ′ obtained by rotating the Y axis, which is the crystal axis, to the −Z axis side of the Z axis, which is the crystal axis, with the plane including the Z ′ axis obtained as a main surface and the X axis as the rotation axis A rotating Y-cut quartz substrate having a thickness in an axial direction, and at least one of the plurality of side surfaces intersecting with the X axis of the rotating Y-cut quartz substrate includes at least four surfaces; To do.
According to this embodiment, even if the vibration piece is reduced in size, there are at least four surfaces on the side surface on the X-axis side, so that the effect of the thickness bending vibration mode can be suppressed and the frequency temperature characteristics can be improved.
[Mode 8] In the resonator element according to the above mode, at least one of the side surfaces includes six surfaces.
According to this embodiment, even if the resonator element is reduced in size, there are six surfaces on the side surface on the X-axis side, so that the effect of the thickness bending vibration mode can be greatly suppressed and the frequency temperature characteristic can be greatly improved. There is.
[Mode 9] In the resonator element according to the above mode, the six surfaces are arranged in the Y′-axis direction.
According to this embodiment, the six faces have an effect that the crystal faces generated with the crystal anisotropy of quartz can be used.
[Mode 10] In the resonator element according to the above mode, the at least four surfaces are arranged in the Y′-axis direction.
According to this embodiment, there is an effect that at least four planes can use crystal planes generated with crystal anisotropy of quartz.
[Mode 11] In the resonator element according to the above mode, the other side surface includes two surfaces.
According to this embodiment, even if the resonator element is downsized, the other side surface on the X-axis side also has two surfaces, thereby further suppressing the influence of the thickness bending vibration mode and further improving the frequency temperature characteristics. There is an effect that can be done.
[Mode 12] The resonator element according to the above mode, wherein the resonator element includes the first main surface on the + Y′-axis side, the second main surface on the −Y′-axis side, and the at least four surfaces having the at least four surfaces. In the side surface, an angle formed by two surfaces whose end portions are connected to each other is an obtuse angle.
According to this embodiment, in the side surface having at least four surfaces on the X-axis side, the angles formed by the two surfaces are all obtuse angles, so that the excitation electrode and the pad electrode are connected using the side surface on the X-axis side. When connecting with the lead electrode, there is an effect that the disconnection of the lead electrode can be prevented.
[Mode 13] In the resonator element according to the above mode, a protrusion is provided on at least one main surface of the rotated Y-cut quartz substrate.
According to this embodiment, even if the resonator element is downsized, the thickness bending vibration that is superimposed on the main vibration is formed by forming the mesa shape with the thick central portion and the thin peripheral portion at the position where the excitation electrode of the quartz substrate is formed. Unnecessary waves such as modes can be significantly suppressed, and the frequency temperature characteristics can be greatly improved.
[Embodiment 14] In the resonator element according to the above embodiment, the protrusion is arranged in a position closer to the other side surface than the side surface having the at least four surfaces in a plan view. .
According to this embodiment, even if the resonator element is downsized, the thickness bending vibration that is superimposed on the main vibration is formed by forming the mesa shape with the thick central portion and the thin peripheral portion at the position where the excitation electrode of the quartz substrate is formed. Unnecessary waves such as modes can be significantly suppressed, and the frequency temperature characteristics can be greatly improved.
[Mode 15] The vibration element according to the present mode is characterized in that an excitation electrode is disposed on the main surface of the resonator element according to the above mode.
According to this embodiment, by forming the excitation electrode, there is an effect that the thickness shear vibration mode which is the main vibration can be stably excited.
[Mode 16] In the resonator element according to the above mode, the excitation electrode is disposed closer to the other side surface than the side surface having the at least four surfaces in a plan view. .
According to this embodiment, there is an effect that the thickness-shear vibration mode which is the main vibration can be stably excited.
[Mode 17] The vibration element according to the present mode is characterized in that an excitation electrode is disposed on the main surface of the resonator element according to the above mode at a position overlapping the projecting portion in plan view.
According to this embodiment, even if the resonator element is reduced in size, the thick central portion and the excitation electrode in the mesa shape formed by the thick central portion and the thin peripheral portion of the quartz substrate overlap in a plan view. There is an effect that an unnecessary element such as a thickness bending vibration mode to be superimposed is significantly suppressed, and a vibration element having a greatly improved frequency temperature characteristic is obtained.
[Mode 18] In the resonator element according to the above mode, the excitation electrode is arranged in a position closer to the other side surface than the side surface having the at least four surfaces in a plan view. Vibration element.
According to this embodiment, there is an effect that the thickness-shear vibration mode which is the main vibration can be stably excited.
[Mode 19] The vibration element according to the above mode, further including a pad electrode electrically connected to the excitation electrode, and the pad electrode overlaps the side surface having the at least four surfaces in a plan view. It is arranged at a position.
According to the present embodiment, when the excitation electrode and the pad electrode are connected by the lead electrode using the side surface on the X-axis side having at least four surfaces, there is an effect that disconnection of the lead electrode can be prevented.
[Mode 20] A vibrator according to the present mode is characterized by including the vibration element according to the above aspect and a package containing the vibration element.
According to this embodiment, by accommodating a small vibration element in a package, it is possible to prevent the influence of disturbance such as temperature change and humidity change and the influence of contamination, so that frequency reproducibility, frequency temperature characteristics, CI temperature characteristics In addition, there is an effect that a small vibrator having excellent frequency aging characteristics can be obtained.
[Mode 21] An electronic device according to this mode includes the vibration element according to the above mode, an electronic component, and a package on which the vibration element and the electronic component are mounted.
According to this embodiment, by using a small vibrator excellent in frequency reproducibility, frequency temperature characteristics, CI temperature characteristics and frequency aging characteristics, and configuring an oscillation circuit, an oscillator having a small and stable oscillation characteristic can be obtained. There is an effect that the electronic device can be miniaturized.
[Mode 22] An electronic apparatus according to this mode includes the vibration element according to the above mode.
According to this embodiment, there is an effect that a small electronic device having a good reference frequency source can be configured by using a small vibration element having a small CI value and good frequency temperature characteristics.
[Mode 23] A moving body according to this mode includes the vibration element according to the above mode.
According to the present embodiment, a small electronic device having a stable reference frequency source can be configured by using a small vibration element having a small CI value and good frequency temperature characteristics. There is an effect that can be.

  [Application Example 1] A method of manufacturing a resonator element according to this application example includes an X-axis that is a crystal axis of crystal, and a Y-axis that is a Y-axis that is a crystal axis with the X-axis being a rotation axis and the Z-axis being a crystal axis. A surface including the Z ′ axis obtained by rotating toward the axis side is a principal surface, and the Y axis that is the crystal axis is rotated toward the −Z axis side of the Z axis that is the crystal axis with the X axis as the rotation axis. A step of preparing a rotating Y-cut quartz crystal substrate composed of a quartz plate having a thickness in the Y′-axis direction, and at least four surfaces formed on at least one side surface intersecting the X-axis. And a step of etching the side surface.

  According to this application example, even if the vibrating piece of the rotating Y-cut quartz substrate is reduced in size, by performing etching so that at least four surfaces are formed on the side surface on the X-axis side, the contour size of the quartz vibrating piece can be reduced. A resonator element that suppresses the influence of the dependent thickness bending vibration mode can be manufactured. In addition, since an unnecessary bending vibration mode is suppressed, a resonator element with a reduced CI value can be manufactured. Furthermore, there is an effect that a resonator element with improved frequency temperature characteristics can be manufactured.

  Application Example 2 In the method for manufacturing a resonator element according to the application example described above, the etching step is performed by setting the thickness in the Y′-axis direction to the thickness in the Y′-axis direction of the rotating Y-cut quartz substrate. It is characterized by being made thinner by 10% or more.

  According to this application example, even if the size of the vibrating piece of the rotated Y-cut quartz substrate is reduced, four or more are provided on the side surface on the + X-axis side by etching so that the thickness in the Y′-axis direction is reduced by 10% or more. A resonator element in which a surface is formed and the influence of the thickness bending vibration mode depending on the outline dimension of the crystal resonator element is further suppressed can be manufactured. Moreover, since an unnecessary bending vibration mode is suppressed, a resonator element with a further reduced CI value can be manufactured. Furthermore, there is an effect that it is possible to manufacture a resonator element having further improved frequency temperature characteristics.

  Application Example 3 In the method for manufacturing a resonator element according to the application example described above, the etching step is performed by setting the thickness in the Y′-axis direction to the thickness in the Y′-axis direction of the rotating Y-cut quartz substrate. It is characterized by thinning in the range of 10% or more and less than 15%.

  According to this application example, even if the vibrating piece of the rotated Y-cut quartz substrate is reduced in size, by etching so that the thickness in the Y′-axis direction is reduced within a range of 10% to less than 15%, Since four surfaces are formed on the side surfaces and the influence of the thickness bending vibration mode depending on the contour size of the quartz crystal vibrating piece can be suppressed, there is an effect that a vibrating piece having improved frequency temperature characteristics can be manufactured.

  Application Example 4 In the method for manufacturing a resonator element according to the application example, the etching is wet etching.

  According to this application example, by performing the etching by wet etching, there is an effect that a new crystal plane generated by the wet etching can be used with the crystal anisotropy of the crystal.

  Application Example 5 In the method for manufacturing a resonator element according to the application example described above, in the etching step, a first mask is disposed on a main surface on the + Y′-axis side of the rotated Y-cut quartz substrate, and a −Y′-axis is formed. A second mask is disposed on the main surface on the side, and the rotary Y-cut quartz crystal substrate is wet-etched through the first mask and the second mask, thereby forming the outer shape of the resonator element; A step of removing the mask and the second mask, and a step of forming at least four surfaces on the side surface by wet-etching the resonator element from which the mask has been removed.

  According to this application example, by wet etching the quartz substrate, two surfaces are formed on the side surface on the X-axis side by the step of forming the outer shape of the vibration piece, and then further wet etching the vibration piece, Since at least four surfaces can be formed on the side surface, there is an effect that it is possible to manufacture a resonator element that can suppress the influence of the thickness bending vibration mode and improve the frequency temperature characteristics.

  Application Example 6 In the resonator element according to this application example, the X axis that is the crystal axis of the crystal and the Z axis that is the crystal axis are set to the −Y axis side of the Y axis that is the crystal axis with the X axis as the rotation axis. Y obtained by rotating the Y axis, which is the crystal axis, to the −Z axis side of the Z axis, which is the crystal axis, with the plane including the Z ′ axis obtained by rotation as the principal plane and the X axis as the rotation axis 'At least one side surface intersecting with the X axis of the rotating Y-cut quartz crystal substrate composed of a quartz plate having a thickness in the axial direction includes at least four surfaces.

  According to this application example, even if the resonator element is downsized, the frequency temperature characteristics can be improved by suppressing the influence of the thickness bending vibration mode by having at least four surfaces on the side surface on the X-axis side. .

  Application Example 7 In the resonator element according to the application example described above, the one side surface includes six surfaces.

  According to this application example, even if the resonator element is reduced in size, there are six surfaces on the side surface on the X-axis side, so that the influence of the thickness bending vibration mode can be greatly suppressed and the frequency temperature characteristic can be greatly improved. effective.

  Application Example 8 In the resonator element according to the application example described above, the other side surface that intersects the X axis of the rotated Y-cut quartz substrate includes two surfaces.

  According to this application example, even if the resonator element is reduced in size, the other side surface on the X-axis side also has two surfaces, thereby further suppressing the influence of the thickness bending vibration mode and further improving the frequency temperature characteristics. There is an effect that it can be improved.

  Application Example 9 In the resonator element according to the application example described above, in the first main surface on the + Y′-axis side, the second main surface on the −Y′-axis side, and the four surfaces or the six surfaces, end portions The angle between two surfaces connected to each other is an obtuse angle.

  According to this application example, in two to six crystal planes formed on the side surface on the X-axis side, the angles formed by the two surfaces are all obtuse angles, so that excitation is performed using the side surface on the X-axis side. When the electrode and the pad electrode are connected by the lead electrode, there is an effect that the disconnection of the lead electrode can be prevented.

  Application Example 10 In the resonator element according to the application example described above, a protrusion is provided on at least one main surface of the rotated Y-cut quartz crystal substrate.

  According to this application example, even if the resonator element is downsized, a thickness bend that overlaps the main vibration is formed by forming a mesa shape with a thick central portion and a thin peripheral portion at the position where the excitation electrode of the quartz substrate is formed. Unnecessary waves such as vibration modes can be significantly suppressed, and the frequency temperature characteristics can be greatly improved.

  Application Example 11 The vibration element according to this application example includes excitation electrodes on the front and back main surfaces of the resonator element according to the application example.

  According to this application example, by forming the excitation electrode, there is an effect that the thickness-shear vibration mode which is the main vibration can be excited stably.

  Application Example 12 A vibrator according to this application example includes the vibration element according to the application example described above and a package housing the vibration element.

  According to this application example, since the small vibration element is accommodated in the package, it is possible to prevent the influence of disturbance such as temperature change and humidity change and the influence of contamination, so that frequency reproducibility, frequency temperature characteristics, CI temperature There is an effect that a small vibrator having excellent characteristics and frequency aging characteristics can be obtained.

  Application Example 13 An electronic device according to this application example includes the vibration element according to the application example described above, an electronic component, and a package in which the vibration element and the electronic component are mounted. And

  According to this application example, a small oscillator having excellent frequency reproducibility, frequency temperature characteristics, CI temperature characteristics, and frequency aging characteristics is used, and an oscillator having a small and stable oscillation characteristic is configured by configuring an oscillation circuit. The electronic device can be downsized.

  Application Example 14 An electronic apparatus according to this application example includes the vibration element described in the application example.

  According to this application example, by using a small vibration element having a small CI value and good frequency temperature characteristics, there is an effect that a small electronic device including a good reference frequency source can be configured.

  Application Example 15 A moving body according to this application example includes the vibration element described in the application example.

  According to this application example, a small electronic device having a stable reference frequency source can be configured by using a small vibration element having a small CI value and good frequency temperature characteristics. There is an effect that can be done.

It is the schematic which showed the structure of the vibration piece which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention, (a) is a top view, (b) is PP sectional drawing. The figure for demonstrating the relationship between an AT cut quartz substrate and a crystal axis. FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the crystal substrate and the resonator element in a process illustrating an example of a method for manufacturing the resonator element according to the embodiment of the invention. It is a figure explaining the vibration displacement with respect to the X-axis end part cross-sectional shape of the vibration element which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention, (a) is X-axis end part cross-sectional shape of less than 10% of etching amounts, (b) is the etching amount. The X-axis end cross-sectional shape of 10% or more and less than 15%, (c) is the X-axis end cross-sectional shape of the etching amount of 15% or more, and (d) is the thickness bending vibration energy distribution diagram for each etching amount. It is a figure explaining the vibration displacement with respect to Z'-axis edge part cross-sectional shape of the vibration element which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention, (a) is Z'-axis edge part cross-sectional shape with less than 10% of etching amounts, (b) is The cross-sectional shape of the Z′-axis end portion with an etching amount of 10% or more and less than 15%, (c) is the cross-sectional shape of the Z′-axis end portion with an etching amount of 15% or more, and (d) is a vibration displacement diagram for each etching amount. 4A and 4B are schematic views showing another structure of the resonator element according to the embodiment of the invention, in which FIG. 4A is a plan view, and FIG. FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a quartz substrate and a vibrating piece in a step (outer shape processing step) showing an example of another method for manufacturing the vibrating piece according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a quartz crystal substrate and a vibrating piece in a step (mesa processing step) showing an example of another method for manufacturing the vibrating piece according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is the schematic which showed the structure of the vibration element which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention, (a) is a top view, (b) is PP sectional drawing. It is the schematic which showed the structure of the vibrator | oscillator which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention, (a) is a top view, (b) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view. FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a modification of the vibrator according to the embodiment of the present invention, where (a) is a longitudinal sectional view of Modification 1 and (b) is a longitudinal sectional view of Modification 2. It is the schematic which showed the structure of the electronic device which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention, (a) is a top view, (b) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view. The perspective view which shows the structure of the mobile type (or notebook type) personal computer as an electronic device provided with the vibration element which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. The perspective view which shows the structure of a mobile telephone (PHS is also included) as an electronic device provided with the vibration element which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. The perspective view which shows the structure of the digital camera as an electronic device provided with the vibration element which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. The perspective view which shows the structure of the motor vehicle as a moving body to which the vibrator provided with the vibration element which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention, or an electronic device is applied.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. 1A and 1B are schematic views showing the structure of a resonator element according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 1A is a plan view of the resonator element, and FIG. 1B is a PP of FIG. 1A. It is sectional drawing.

(Structure of vibrating piece)
The resonator element 1 has a vibrating portion 12 in the center of the quartz substrate 10, and the X-axis direction that is the vibration direction of the thickness-shear vibration of the quartz substrate 10 is a long side, and the Z′-axis direction is a short side. It is a rectangle. Further, the − side surface 21 c in the X-axis direction of the resonator element 1 is composed of two surfaces, a crystal surface 25 and a crystal surface 26, and the + side surface 131 c in the X-axis direction is a crystal surface 133, 134, 135, 136, 137 and 138 are composed of six surfaces.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the quartz substrate 10 has crystal axes X, Y, and Z orthogonal to each other. The X axis is called an electric axis, the Y axis is a mechanical axis, and the Z axis is called an optical axis. A flat plate cut out along a plane obtained by rotating the surface about the X axis by a predetermined angle θ, which is a so-called rotated Y-cut quartz substrate.

  When the angle θ of the rotated Y-cut quartz substrate is 35.25 ° (35 ° 15 ′), it is called an AT-cut quartz substrate and has excellent temperature characteristics. Here, the AT-cut quartz substrate has crystal axes X, Y ′, and Z ′ that are orthogonal to each other, the thickness direction is the Y′-axis, and the surface that includes the X-axis and the Z′-axis orthogonal to the Y′-axis is the main. A thickness-shear vibration is excited as a main vibration on the main surface.

(Manufacturing method of vibrating piece)
Next, a method for manufacturing a resonator element according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to schematic cross-sectional views of the quartz substrate and the resonator element in the manufacturing process of FIG. In consideration of mass productivity and manufacturing cost, the resonator element 1 is generally manufactured from a large substrate by a batch processing method. Here, a schematic cross-sectional view of one vibrating piece 1 will be described. The quartz substrate 10 will be described with an example using an AT cut quartz substrate.
The resonator element 1 is trimmed so that the X-axis direction is the long side, the Z′-axis direction is the short side, and the Y′-axis direction is the thickness. First, lapping or polishing is performed on the quartz substrate to prepare the quartz substrate 10 having a desired plane and thickness. For example, chromium (Cr) 31 serving as an underlayer having a predetermined thickness and gold (Au) 32 serving as a corrosion-resistant layer are formed on both the front and back main surfaces of the quartz substrate 10 by sputtering or vapor deposition, and after applying a resist 33, photolithography is performed. Masks 30a and 30b are formed using the technique and the etching technique (FIG. 3A).

  Next, the quartz substrate 10 exposed from the mask opening is etched using an ammonium fluoride solution or the like. Due to the etching anisotropy of the crystal, crystal faces 23, 24, 133, and 134 that are inclined at different angles from the main surface of the crystal substrate 10 appear on the exposed surface of the crystal substrate 10 (FIG. 3B). In FIG. 3B, on the + Y′-axis side of the quartz substrate 10, the inclination angle with respect to the normal direction of the main surface of the quartz substrate 10 is about 55 ° (55 ° ± 2 °, that is, − side in the X-axis direction. 53) and a crystal plane 133 having an inclination angle of about 27 ° (27 ° ± 2 °, that is, a range of 25 ° to 29 °) is formed on the + side in the X-axis direction. It is formed. On the −Y′-axis side of the quartz substrate 10, a crystal having an inclination angle of about 55 ° (55 ° ± 2 °, that is, a range of 53 ° to 57 °) on the −side in the X-axis direction is symmetrical with respect to this. A plane 24 is formed, and a crystal plane 134 having an inclination angle of about 27 ° (27 ° ± 2 °, that is, a range of 25 ° to 29 °) is formed on the + side in the X-axis direction. Thereafter, when the etching of the exposed surface of the quartz substrate 10 is further advanced, the unmasked quartz portion completely penetrates, and the − side surface 21 in the X-axis direction has two planes of the crystal plane 23 and the crystal plane 24. The side surface is configured by a crystal plane, and the + side surface 131 in the X-axis direction has a side configuration configured by two crystal planes, a crystal plane 133 and a crystal plane 134 (FIG. 3C). .

Subsequently, the resist 33 is peeled off, and all of chromium (Cr) 31 and gold (Au) 32 are removed (FIG. 3D). Thereafter, the entire periphery of the vibrating piece 101 having two crystal faces on the side surfaces 21 and 131 in the X-axis direction is etched using an ammonium fluoride solution or the like, and the thickness of the vibrating portion 12 is adjusted so as to obtain a desired frequency. adjust.
The etching amount Md is represented by the following formula (1) based on the thickness of the vibration part 12 of the quartz substrate 10.
Md = (T0−Tx) / T0 (%) (1)
Here, T0 is the thickness of the vibrating portion 12 of the quartz substrate 10 before thickness adjustment etching, and Tx (where x is 1 to 3) is the thickness of the vibrating portion 12 of the quartz substrate 10 after thickness adjustment etching.
That is, Md is the difference between the thickness of the vibrating portion 12 of the quartz substrate 10 before thickness adjustment etching and the thickness of the vibrating portion 12 of the quartz substrate 10 after thickness adjustment etching. It represents with the ratio (%) with respect to the thickness of the vibration part 12 of the quartz substrate 10.
When the amount of thickness Md to be removed by wet etching (hereinafter referred to as etching amount Md) is less than 10%, the − side surface 21a in the X-axis direction of the resonator element 102 has an inclination angle of about 55 ° (55 ° ± 2). Crystal planes 25 and 26 having an inclination angle of about 25 ° (25 ° ± 2 °, ie, in the range of 23 ° to 27 °) are newly generated from the crystal planes 23 and 24 of °, that is, in the range of 53 ° to 57 °. It was found that the side surface shape was composed of two crystal planes. Further, the + side surface 131a in the X-axis direction has a side surface shape constituted by two crystal surfaces 133 and 134 having an inclination angle of about 27 ° (27 ° ± 2 °, that is, a range of 25 ° to 29 °). Yes, it is the same shape as before the thickness adjustment etching (FIG. 3E).

Next, when the etching amount Md is 10% or more, crystal planes having a new inclination angle are generated on the side surfaces 131b and 131c on the + side in the X-axis direction of the resonator elements 103 and 104, and crystals having four or more planes are formed. It became clear that the number of crystal planes constituting the side surface on the + side in the X-axis direction increased in proportion to the increase in the etching amount Md.
That is, when the etching amount Md is 10% or more and less than 15%, the − side surface 21b in the X-axis direction of the resonator element 103 has an inclination angle of about 25 ° (25 ° ± 2 °, that is, 23 ° to 27 °). Of the crystal planes 25 and 26 in the range of (2)), and is the same shape as the case where the etching amount Md is less than 10%. However, the side surface 131b on the + side in the X-axis direction includes crystal surfaces 133 and 134 having an inclination angle of about 27 ° (27 ° ± 2 °, that is, a range of 25 ° to 29 °), and a new + Y ′ of the quartz substrate 10. The crystal surface 135 having an inclination angle of about 58 ° (58 ° ± 2 °, that is, a range of 56 ° to 60 °) generated between the side main surface and the crystal surface 133, and the −Y ′ side main surface of the crystal substrate 10. And a crystal plane 136 having a tilt angle of about 58 ° (58 ° ± 2 °, that is, a range of 56 ° to 60 °) generated between the crystal plane 134 and the crystal plane 134. (FIG. 3F).

  The angle formed between the + Y ′ side main surface of the quartz crystal substrate 10 and the crystal surface 25, the angle formed between the crystal surface 25 and the crystal surface 26, and the crystal surface 26 on the − side surface 21 b in the X-axis direction of the resonator element 103. And the −Y ′ main surface of the quartz substrate 10 are all obtuse angles. In addition, on the side surface 131b on the + side in the X-axis direction of the resonator element 103, an angle formed between the + Y ′ side main surface of the quartz substrate 10 and the crystal surface 135, an angle formed between the crystal surface 135 and the crystal surface 133, and a crystal surface 133 And the crystal plane 134, the angle formed between the crystal plane 134 and the crystal plane 136, and the angle formed between the crystal plane 136 and the −Y ′ side main surface of the quartz substrate 10 are all obtuse angles.

When etching is further performed and the etching amount Md is set to 15% or more, the negative side surface 21c in the X-axis direction of the resonator element 104 has an inclination angle of about 25 ° (25 ° ± 2 °, that is, 23 ° to 27 °). The side surface shape is composed of two crystal planes of crystal planes 25 and 26 in a range (°), and is the same shape as the case where the etching amount Md is less than 15%. However, the side surface 131c on the + side in the X-axis direction has crystal faces 133 and 134 having an inclination angle of about 27 ° (27 ° ± 2 °, that is, a range of 25 ° to 29 °) and an inclination angle of about 58 ° (58 ° ± 2 °, that is, a range of 56 ° to 60 °), and a tilt angle newly formed between the four crystal planes of the crystal planes 135 and 136 and the + Y′-side main plane of the crystal substrate 10 and the crystal plane 135. An inclination angle of about 86 ° generated between the crystal plane 137 of about 86 ° (86 ° ± 2 °, that is, in the range of 84 ° to 88 °) and the −Y′-side main surface of the crystal substrate 10 and the crystal plane 136. It was found that the side face shape was composed of 6 crystal faces including the crystal face 138 (86 ° ± 2 °, that is, in the range of 84 ° to 88 ° (FIG. 3G)).
Further, on the + side surface 131 c in the X-axis direction, the newly formed crystal planes 137 and 138 also have an angle formed between the + Y ′ side main surface of the crystal substrate 10 and the crystal plane 137, the crystal plane 137 and the crystal plane 135. The angle formed between the crystal plane 136 and the crystal plane 138 and the angle formed between the crystal plane 138 and the −Y′-side main surface of the quartz crystal substrate 10 are all obtuse angles.

  Therefore, after forming the outer shape of the resonator element, by performing further etching such as thickness adjustment, it has been found that new crystal planes are generated on both side surfaces in the X-axis direction, particularly on the side surfaces in the + X-axis direction. When the etching amount Md is 10% or more, it is possible to manufacture a resonator element having a −X-axis side surface constituted by two crystal faces and a + X-axis side face constituted by four or more crystal faces. It has become possible.

  4A, 4B, and 4C show cross-sectional shapes in the X-axis direction of the resonator elements 102, 103, and 104 with respect to the etching amount Md, and FIG. 4D shows the excitation electrode 15. The amplitude energy of the thickness bending vibration in the X-axis direction of the resonator elements 102, 103, and 104 having the shape of FIG. As shown in FIG. 4D, as the etching amount Md increases, the amplitude energy of the thickness flexural vibration superimposed on the X-axis direction of the resonator element tends to be attenuated. In other words, both side surfaces in the X-axis direction of the resonator element, particularly the side surface on the + X side, has a side surface shape composed of a plurality of crystal planes, and is more similar to a convex shape, so that the thickness bending vibration mode due to the contour dimension is suppressed. It is considered that the amplitude energy of the thickness bending vibration superimposed on the X-axis direction is attenuated. Therefore, the inventors of the present application have found that the flexural vibration mode can be suppressed by increasing the etching amount Md so that the side faces are formed by a large number of crystal faces, which is effective in reducing the CI value. .

The vibration piece is located at the end along the Z ′ of the vibration piece at a position where the energy of bending vibration such as X1, X2, and X3 in FIG. 4D is attenuated, that is, the antinode of bending vibration. Although the size of the vibrating piece in the X-axis direction is determined so as to be in the position, strictly speaking, the energy of the bending vibration is not zero. Therefore, by applying the present invention, the energy of the attenuation region is further attenuated. As a result, the bending vibration can be suppressed more effectively, and the bending vibration can be sufficiently suppressed even if there is some variation in the size of the vibrating piece in the X-axis direction. Play.
In addition, it seems that it is possible to increase the energy confinement effect in the X-axis direction by forming an additional crystal plane on the side surface in the X-axis direction by applying an etching amount Md of 30% or more. Since CI value deterioration due to unevenness caused by etch pits (also referred to as etch channels) is expected on the surface, the upper limit of the etching amount Md is considered to be about 30%.

By the way, when the thickness of the resonator element is adjusted by wet etching, the following phenomenon also occurs on the side surface intersecting the Z ′ axis.
FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C show the cross-sectional shapes of the Z′-axis end portions of the resonator elements 102, 103, and 104 with respect to the etching amount Md, and FIG. 5D shows the excitation electrode. 15 shows the vibration displacement in the Z′-axis direction of the resonator elements 102, 103, 104 having the shape 15.
The shape of the side surface that intersects the Z ′ axis has a point-symmetric structure with respect to the center point of the Y′Z ′ plane that is the cross section of the resonator element.
When the etching amount Md is less than 10%, both side surfaces 321 in the Z′-axis direction have a side surface shape constituted by two crystal planes including a crystal plane 324 and a crystal plane 325 (FIG. 5A).
Next, when the etching amount Md is 10% or more and less than 15%, both side surfaces 322 in the Z′-axis direction are the crystal surface 324, the crystal surface 325, the crystal surface 324, and the Y ′ side main surface of the vibrating piece 102. A side surface shape constituted by four crystal faces including a new crystal face 327 and a crystal face 328 generated between the two (FIG. 5B).
When etching is further performed and the etching amount Md is set to 15% or more, on both side surfaces 323 in the Z′-axis direction, new crystal planes 329 are generated between the crystal planes 324 and 328, and five crystal planes are formed. It becomes the side shape comprised by (FIG.5 (c)).

The inclination angle of each crystal plane with respect to the normal direction of the main surface of the quartz substrate 10 is about 3 ° for the crystal plane 324 (3 ° ± 2 °, that is, in the range of 1 ° to 3 °), and about about 3 ° for the crystal plane 325. 54 ° (54 ° ± 2 °, ie, in the range of 52 ° to 56 °), the crystal plane 327 is about 37 ° (37 ° ± 2 °, ie, in the range of 35 ° to 39 °), and the crystal plane 328 is about 18 °. (18 ° ± 2 °, ie, in the range of 16 ° to 20 °), the crystal plane 329 is about 10 ° (10 ° ± 2 °, ie, in the range of 8 ° to 12 °).
As shown in FIG. 5D, by forming a plurality of surfaces on the end surface of the Z′-axis, vibration displacement at the end in the Z′-axis direction of the thickness-shear vibration mode that is the main vibration is attenuated, and energy confinement is achieved. The effect can be improved and the CI value can be improved.

6A and 6B are schematic views illustrating another structure of the resonator element according to the embodiment of the invention, in which FIG. 6A is a plan view of the resonator element, and FIG. 6B is a diagram of P in FIG. It is -P sectional drawing.
(Structure of vibrating piece)
The resonator element 2 is a rectangle having the long side in the X-axis direction and the short side in the Z′-axis direction of the rotated Y-cut quartz crystal substrate. The − side surface 121c in the X-axis direction of the resonator element 2 is composed of two surfaces, a crystal surface 25 and a crystal surface 26, and the + side surface 231c in the X-axis direction is a crystal surface 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, It consists of six sides of 138. In addition, the resonator element 2 has a mesa structure including the thick central portion 13 as the vibrating portion 12 and a thin peripheral portion 14 around the outer periphery of the thick central portion 13.
In addition, the side surface of the mesa portion that is the protruding portion formed on the + side of the Y ′ axis of the vibrating piece 2 that is the thick-walled central portion 13 is configured by the crystal plane 23 on the − side in the X-axis direction. The + side of is composed of a crystal plane 133. The side surface of the mesa formed on the negative side of the Y′-axis of the resonator element 2 is symmetrical with the negative side in the X-axis direction, which is constituted by the crystal plane 24, and the positive side in the X-axis direction is constituted by the crystal plane 134. Has been.
This mesa shape can further improve the energy confinement effect of the thickness-shear vibration mode, which is the main vibration, and can further suppress the influence of the unnecessary mode and improve the frequency characteristics.

(Manufacturing method of vibrating piece)
Next, another method for manufacturing the resonator element according to the embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to a schematic cross-sectional view of one resonator element 2. The quartz substrate 10 will be described with an example using an AT cut quartz substrate.
FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the quartz substrate and the vibration piece in the manufacturing process of the outer shape processing of the vibrating piece, and FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the vibration piece in the manufacturing process of the mesa processing performed after the outer shape processing of the vibration piece.
The exposed surface of the quartz substrate 10 is etched so that the unmasked quartz portion is completely penetrated, and the side surface is composed of two crystal planes including crystal planes 23 and 24 on the negative side surface 121 in the X-axis direction. Until the shape and the side surface shape composed of two crystal planes consisting of the crystal planes 133 and 134 are formed on the side surface 231 on the + side, manufacture of the resonator element according to the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. This is equivalent to the method (FIGS. 7A to 7D).
Thereafter, chromium (Cr) 31 serving as an underlayer having a predetermined thickness and gold (Au) 32 serving as a corrosion-resistant layer are sputtered or deposited on both the front and back main surfaces of the resonator element 201, and after applying a resist 33, photoetching is performed. Thus, masks 30c and 30d having mesa shape patterns are formed (FIG. 8E). Subsequently, etching is performed using an ammonium fluoride solution or the like to form a mesa shape. Etching for adjusting the step of the mesa is equivalent to thickness adjusting etching in the manufacturing process of FIG. Therefore, the shape of both side surfaces in the X-axis direction after etching is the same as the side surface shape formed by the above-described method for manufacturing a resonator element according to the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG.

  That is, when the etching amount Md is less than 10%, the − side surface 121a in the X-axis direction of the resonator element 202 is a crystal having an inclination angle of about 55 ° (55 ° ± 2 °, that is, a range of 53 ° to 57 °). Crystal planes 25 and 26 having an inclination angle of about 25 ° (25 ° ± 2 °, that is, a range of 23 ° to 27 °) are newly generated from the surfaces 23 and 24, and a side surface shape constituted by two crystal planes is obtained. . The side surface 231a on the + side in the X-axis direction has a side surface shape constituted by two crystal surfaces 133 and 134 having an inclination angle of about 27 ° (27 ° ± 2 °, that is, a range of 25 ° to 29 °). Yes, the shape is the same as that before the mesa formation etching (FIG. 8F).

  Next, when the etching amount Md is 10% or more and less than 15%, the negative side surface 121b in the X-axis direction of the resonator element 203 has an inclination angle of about 25 ° (25 ° ± 2 °, that is, 23 ° to 27 °). Of the crystal planes 25 and 26 in the range (1). However, on the + side surface 231b in the X-axis direction, the crystal planes 133 and 134 having an inclination angle of about 27 ° (27 ° ± 2 °, that is, a range of 25 ° to 29 °) and the crystal substrate 10 are newly etched. A crystal plane 135 having an inclination angle of about 58 ° (58 ° ± 2 °, that is, a range of 56 ° -60 °) generated between the + Y′-side main surface corresponding to the thickness T2 and the crystal plane 133; An inclination angle of about 58 ° (58 ° ± 2 °, that is, a range of 56 ° to 60 °) generated between the −Y′-side main surface corresponding to the thickness T2 and the crystal surface 134 is etched. A side surface shape constituted by four crystal planes including the crystal plane 136 (FIG. 8G).

When the etching is further performed and the etching amount Md is set to 15% or more, the negative side surface 121c in the X-axis direction of the vibrating piece 204 has an inclination angle of about 25 ° (25 ° ± 2 °, that is, 23 ° to 27 °). (Side) of the crystal planes 25 and 26 in the range). However, the side surface 231c on the + side in the X axis direction has crystal faces 133 and 134 having an inclination angle of about 27 ° (27 ° ± 2 °, that is, a range of 25 ° to 29 °) and an inclination angle of about 58 ° (58 ° ± 2 °, that is, in the range of 56 ° to 60 °), and is generated between the crystal plane 135 and the + Y ′ side main surface corresponding to the thickness T3 after the crystal substrate 10 is newly etched. A crystal plane 137 with an inclination angle of about 86 ° (86 ° ± 2 °, that is, a range of 84 ° to 88 °), and a −Y′-side main surface and a crystal plane 136 corresponding to the thickness T3 when the crystal substrate 10 is etched. And a crystal plane 138 having an inclination angle of about 86 ° (86 ° ± 2 °, that is, in the range of 84 ° to 88 °) generated between the crystal plane and the side surface shape (FIG. 8 (h)).
Thereafter, the resist 33 of the masks 30c and 30d having the mesa shape pattern is peeled off, and the chromium (Cr) 31 and the gold (Au) 32 are all removed to complete the mesa-shaped vibrating piece 204 (FIG. 8I).
Therefore, even in the resonator element 202, 203, 204 having a mesa shape, both side surfaces in the X-axis direction can be configured by two or more crystal planes related to the etching amount Md.

Therefore, increasing the etching amount Md provides an energy confinement effect because many crystal planes can be formed on both side surfaces in the X-axis direction, and is effective in reducing the CI value. Further, forming a mesa shape further improves the energy confinement effect of the thickness-shear vibration mode, which is the main vibration, and further suppresses the influence of the thickness-bending vibration mode, thereby significantly improving the frequency characteristics. Can be manufactured.
In addition, it seems that it is possible to increase the energy confinement effect in the X-axis direction by forming a new crystal plane on the side surface in the X-axis direction by applying an etching amount Md of 30% or more. Since the energy confinement effect of the thickness-shear vibration mode related to the mesa step is expected to be attenuated by increasing the thickness, the upper limit of the etching amount Md is considered to be about 30%.

  Here, in one embodiment of the present invention, the etching amount Md is determined by the difference between the thickness of the vibrating portion 12 of the quartz substrate 10 before thickness adjustment etching and the thickness of the vibrating portion 12 of the quartz substrate 10 after thickness adjustment etching. It was explained that the amount of thickness to be removed was expressed as a ratio (%) to the thickness of the vibrating portion 12 of the quartz substrate 10 before thickness adjustment etching. However, in the case of the mesa type resonator element, the etching amount Md is the size of the step between the thick central portion 13 and the thin peripheral portion 14 and the thickness of the quartz substrate 10 before the thickness adjustment etching and the thin peripheral portion. The amount of thickness to be removed in the thin peripheral portion 14 region, which is a difference in thickness from the thickness 14, is expressed as a percentage (%) with respect to the thickness of the quartz substrate 10 before thickness adjustment etching.

  In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 8, an example of a mesa shape with one step on the front and back main surfaces of the vibration piece is shown, but it is not necessary to limit to this, and the front and back main surfaces of the vibration piece are both A multi-stage mesa shape or a multi-stage mesa shape may be provided on either the front or back main surface of the resonator element. In addition, although an example in which the mesa shape is rectangular has been shown, the present invention is not limited to this, and the mesa shape may be circular or elliptical.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a vibration element according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 9A is a plan view of the vibration element, and FIG. 9B is a PP of FIG. 9A. It is sectional drawing.
The vibrating element 3 includes a vibrating piece 1 having a vibrating portion 12, an excitation electrode 15 formed so as to face both main surfaces (front and back surfaces in the ± Y′-axis direction) of the vibrating piece 1, a lead electrode 16, The pad electrode 17 and the connection electrode 18 are provided.
The lead electrode 16 extends from the excitation electrode 15 and is conductively connected to a pad electrode 17 formed at the end of the quartz substrate 10.
The pad electrodes 17 are formed to face the ends of both main surfaces of the resonator element 1, and are electrically connected to each other by connection electrodes 18 formed on both side surfaces in the Z′-axis direction of the resonator element 1.
Note that the resonator element 1 is manufactured by the method for manufacturing a resonator element according to the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 3 described above, and has an etching amount Md of 15% or more. Therefore, the − side surface 21c in the X-axis direction of the resonator element 1 is composed of two surfaces of the crystal surface 25 and the crystal surface 26, and the + side surface 131c in the X-axis direction is the crystal surface 133, 134, 135, 136, 137 and 138 are composed of six surfaces.

  In the embodiment shown in FIG. 9A, an example in which the shape of the excitation electrode 15 formed so as to be opposed to the main surface of the substantially central portion of the vibrating portion 12 is rectangular is shown, but it is necessary to limit to this. Alternatively, the shape may be circular or elliptical.

FIG. 10 is a schematic view showing a configuration of a vibrator according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 10 (a) is a plan view in which a lid member is omitted, and FIG. 10 (b) is a plan view of FIG. 10 (a). It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view. The vibrator 5 includes a vibration element 3, a package body 40 formed in a rectangular box shape for housing the vibration element 3, a lid member 49 made of metal, ceramic, glass, or the like. Yes.
As shown in FIG. 10, the package body 40 is formed by laminating a first substrate 41, a second substrate 42, a third substrate 43, a seal ring 44, and mounting terminals 45. Yes. A plurality of mounting terminals 45 are formed on the outer bottom surface of the first substrate 41. The third substrate 43 is an annular body from which the central portion is removed, and a seal ring 44 such as Kovar is formed on the upper peripheral edge of the third substrate 43.
The third substrate 43 and the second substrate 42 form a recess (cavity) that houses the vibration element 3. A plurality of element mounting pads 47 that are electrically connected to the mounting terminals 45 by conductors 46 are provided at predetermined positions on the upper surface of the second substrate 42. The element mounting pad 47 is disposed so as to correspond to the pad electrode 17 formed at the end of the vibration element 3 when the vibration element 3 is placed.

When the vibration element 3 is supported and fixed, first, the pad electrode 17 of the vibration element 3 is placed on the element mounting pad 47 coated with the conductive adhesive 38 and a load is applied.
Next, in order to cure the conductive adhesive 38, it is placed in a high temperature furnace at a predetermined temperature for a predetermined time. After the conductive adhesive 38 is cured, an annealing process is performed, and the frequency is adjusted by adding mass to the excitation electrode 15 or reducing the mass. Thereafter, the lid member 49 is placed on the seal ring 44 formed on the upper surface of the third substrate 43 of the package body 40, and the lid member 49 is seam welded and sealed in a vacuum or in an atmosphere of nitrogen gas. The vibrator 5 is completed.
Alternatively, there is also a method in which the lid member 49 is placed on the low melting point glass applied to the upper surface of the package body 40 and melted and adhered. In this case as well, the cavity of the package is evacuated or filled with an inert gas such as nitrogen gas to complete the vibrator 5.

  In the above-described embodiment of the vibrator 5, an example in which a laminated plate is used for the package body 40 has been described. However, vibration is performed using a single-layer ceramic plate for the package body 40 and a cap that has been drawn on the lid member 49. The child 5 may be configured.

11 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a modification of the vibrator according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11A is a longitudinal sectional view of Modification 1. FIG. 11B is a longitudinal section of Modification 2. FIG.
As shown in FIG. 11, the vibrators 5 a and 5 b are vibration elements 3, a thermistor 70 that functions as a temperature sensor (temperature sensing element), and a container in which the vibration element 3 and the thermistor 70 are mounted (contained). Package 40a, 40b.
FIG. 11A shows a structure in which the vibration element 3 and the thermistor 70 are mounted (stored) in a recess (cavity) formed by the third substrate 43 and the second substrate 42a.
In FIG. 11B, the vibration element 3 is mounted (accommodated) in the recessed portion (cavity) formed by the third substrate 43 and the second substrate 42b, and the first substrate 41b and the second substrate 42b. The thermistor 70 is mounted in a recess (cavity) formed by the substrate 42b.

The thermistor 70 is, for example, a chip-type (cuboid-shaped) temperature sensing element (temperature sensing resistance element), and is a resistor whose electrical resistance changes greatly with respect to temperature changes.
As the thermistor 70, for example, a thermistor called an NTC (Negative Temperature Coefficient) thermistor whose resistance decreases with increasing temperature is used. NTC thermistors are frequently used as temperature sensors because the change in resistance value with respect to the change in temperature is proportional.
The thermistor 70 is housed (mounted) in the packages 40a and 40b, detects the temperature in the vicinity of the vibration element 3, and outputs it to a temperature compensation circuit (not shown). It plays a function that contributes to the correction.

FIG. 12 is a schematic view showing the configuration of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 (a) is a plan view in which the lid member is omitted, and FIG. 12 (b) is FIG. 12 (a). FIG.
The electronic device 7 includes a package body 50, a lid member 49, the vibration element 3, an IC component 51 on which an oscillation circuit for exciting the vibration element 3 is mounted, a variable capacitance element whose capacitance changes according to voltage, and a resistance which depends on temperature. And at least one electronic component 52 such as a changing thermistor or inductor.

As shown in FIG. 12, the package body 50 is formed by stacking a first substrate 61, a second substrate 62, and a third substrate 63. A plurality of mounting terminals 45 are formed on the outer bottom surface of the first substrate 61. The 2nd board | substrate 62 and the 3rd board | substrate 63 are formed with the annular body from which the center part was removed.
The first substrate 61, the second substrate 62, and the third substrate 63 form a recess (cavity) that accommodates the vibration element 3, the IC component 51, the electronic component 52, and the like. A plurality of element mounting pads 47 that are electrically connected to the mounting terminals 45 by conductors 46 are provided at predetermined positions on the upper surface of the second substrate 62. The element mounting pad 47 is disposed so as to correspond to the pad electrode 17 formed at the end of the crystal substrate 10 when the vibration element 3 is mounted.

  The pad electrode 17 of the vibration element 3 is placed on the element mounting pad 47 of the package body 50 to which the conductive adhesive 38 is applied, and the conductive adhesive 38 is cured at a predetermined temperature. Conduction with the mounting pad 47 is intended. The IC component 51 is fixed to a predetermined position of the package body 50, and the terminals of the IC component 51 and the electrode terminals 55 of the package body 50 are connected by the bonding wire BW. Further, the electronic component 52 is placed at a predetermined position of the package body 50 and connected to the conductor 46 using a metal bump or the like. The package body 50 is filled with an inert gas such as vacuum or nitrogen, and the package body 50 is sealed with a lid member 49 to complete the electronic device 7.

  Also, stable oscillation can be achieved by configuring an oscillation circuit including a temperature compensation circuit and a voltage control circuit using a variable capacitance element whose capacitance changes with voltage and an electronic component 52 such as a thermistor or inductor whose resistance changes with temperature. An electronic device 7 such as a temperature compensated oscillator or a voltage controlled oscillator having characteristics can be configured.

Next, an electronic device (an electronic device of the present invention) to which the vibration element according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of a mobile (or notebook) personal computer as an electronic apparatus including the resonator element according to the embodiment of the invention. In this figure, a personal computer 1100 includes a main body portion 1104 provided with a keyboard 1102 and a display unit 1106 provided with a display portion 100. The display unit 1106 is rotated with respect to the main body portion 1104 via a hinge structure portion. It is supported movably. Such a personal computer 1100 incorporates a vibration element 3 that functions as at least one of a filter, a resonator, a reference clock, and the like.

  FIG. 14 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of a mobile phone (including PHS) as an electronic apparatus including the resonator element according to the embodiment of the invention. In this figure, a cellular phone 1200 includes a plurality of operation buttons 1202, an earpiece 1204, and a mouthpiece 1206, and the display unit 100 is disposed between the operation buttons 1202 and the earpiece 1204. Such a cellular phone 1200 incorporates a vibration element 3 that functions as a filter, a resonator, or the like.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of a digital camera as an electronic apparatus including the vibration element according to the embodiment of the invention. In this figure, connection with an external device is also simply shown. Here, a normal camera sensitizes a silver salt photographic film with a light image of a subject, whereas a digital camera 1300 captures a light image of a subject by photoelectrically converting it with an image sensor such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device). A signal (image signal) is generated.
A display unit 100 is provided on the back surface of a case (body) 1302 in the digital camera 1300, and is configured to perform display based on an imaging signal from the CCD. The display unit 100 displays a subject as an electronic image. Function as. A light receiving unit 1304 including an optical lens (imaging optical system), a CCD, and the like is provided on the front side (the back side in the drawing) of the case 1302.
When the photographer confirms the subject image displayed on the display unit 100 and presses the shutter button 1306, the CCD image pickup signal at that time is transferred and stored in the memory 1308. In the digital camera 1300, a video signal output terminal 1312 and an input / output terminal 1314 for data communication are provided on the side surface of the case 1302. As shown in the figure, a television monitor 1430 is connected to the video signal output terminal 1312 and a personal computer (PC) 1440 is connected to the input / output terminal 1314 for data communication as necessary. Further, the imaging signal stored in the memory 1308 is output to the television monitor 1430 or the personal computer 1440 by a predetermined operation. Such a digital camera 1300 includes a vibration element 3 that functions as a filter, a resonator, or the like.

  In addition to the personal computer (mobile personal computer) of FIG. 13, the mobile phone of FIG. 14, and the digital camera of FIG. Inkjet printers), laptop personal computers, televisions, video cameras, video tape recorders, car navigation devices, pagers, electronic notebooks (including those with communication functions), electronic dictionaries, calculators, electronic game devices, word processors, workstations, televisions Telephone, crime prevention TV monitor, electronic binoculars, POS terminal, medical equipment (for example, electronic thermometer, blood pressure monitor, blood glucose meter, electrocardiogram measuring device, ultrasonic diagnostic device, electronic endoscope), fish detector, various measuring devices, instruments Class (eg, vehicle, aircraft, ship) Instruments), can be applied to electronic equipment such as a flight simulator.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view schematically showing an automobile 2106 as a specific example of a moving object including the vibration element according to the embodiment of the invention. In this figure, the vibration element 3 is built in an electronic control unit 2108 for controlling a tire 2109 and mounted on a vehicle body 2107.
The automobile 2106 is equipped with a vibrator or electronic device having the vibration element according to the present invention. For example, a keyless entry, an immobilizer, a car navigation system, a car air conditioner, an antilock brake system (ABS), an air The present invention can be widely applied to electronic control units (ECUs) 2108 such as backs, tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS), engine controls, battery monitors for hybrid vehicles and electric vehicles, and vehicle body attitude control systems.

  1, 2, 101, 102, 103, 104, 201, 202, 203, 204 ... vibrating piece, 3 ... vibrating element, 5 ... vibrator, 7 ... electronic device, 10 ... quartz substrate, 12 ... vibrating part, 13 ... Thick central portion, 14 ... Thin peripheral portion, 15 ... Excitation electrode, 16 ... Lead electrode, 17 ... Pad electrode, 18 ... Connection electrode, 21, 21a, 21b, 21c, 121, 121a, 121b, 121c, 131, 131a , 131b, 131c, 231, 231a, 231b, 231c ... side face, 23, 24, 25, 26, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138 ... crystal face, 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d ... mask, 31 ... Chromium (Cr), 32 ... Gold (Au), 33 ... Resist, 38 ... Conductive adhesive, 40 ... Package body, 41 ... First substrate, 42 ... Second substrate, 43 3rd board | substrate, 44 ... Seal ring, 45 ... Mounting terminal, 46 ... Conductor, 47 ... Element mounting pad, 49 ... Cover member, 50 ... Package main body, 51 ... IC component, 52 ... Electronic component, 55 ... Electrode terminal, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 61 ... 1st board | substrate, 62 ... 2nd board | substrate, 63 ... 3rd board | substrate, 70 ... Thermistor, 100 ... Display part, 1100 ... Personal computer, 1102 ... Keyboard, 1104 ... Main-body part, 1106 ... Display unit, 1200 ... Mobile phone 1202 ... Operation button 1204 ... Earpiece 1206 ... Mouthpiece 1300 ... Digital camera 1302 ... Case 1304 ... Light receiving unit 1306 ... Shutter button 1308 ... Memory, 1312 ... Video signal output terminal , 1314 ... input / output terminal, 1430 ... TV monitor, 1440 ... personal computer 2106 ... automobile, 2107 ... the body, 2108 ... electronic control unit, 2109 ... tire.

Claims (21)

Mainly includes a plane including an X-axis that is a crystal axis of quartz and a Z′-axis that is obtained by rotating the Z-axis that is the crystal axis toward the −Y-axis side of the Y-axis that is the crystal axis with the X-axis as a rotation axis. Prepare a rotating Y-cut quartz substrate having a thickness on the Y′-axis direction obtained by rotating the Y-axis, which is the crystal axis, to the −Z-axis side of the Z-axis, which is the crystal axis, with the X-axis as the rotation axis And a process of
The thickness of the rotated Y-cut quartz substrate in the Y′-axis direction is reduced by 10% or more, and at least one of the two sides intersecting the X-axis of the rotated Y-cut quartz substrate is etched. Etching the rotated Y-cut quartz substrate so that at least four surfaces are formed later;
A method of manufacturing a resonator element comprising: Mainly includes a plane including an X-axis that is a crystal axis of quartz and a Z′-axis that is obtained by rotating the Z-axis that is the crystal axis toward the −Y-axis side of the Y-axis that is the crystal axis with the X-axis as a rotation axis. Prepare a rotating Y-cut quartz substrate having a thickness on the Y′-axis direction obtained by rotating the Y-axis, which is the crystal axis, to the −Z-axis side of the Z-axis, which is the crystal axis, with the X-axis as the rotation axis And a process of
The Y 'axis direction thickness before Symbol rotation Y cut quartz substrate thinned in the range of 10% or more and less than 15%, and, at least one of the two sides intersecting with the X-axis of the rotated Y-cut quartz substrate Etching the rotated Y-cut quartz substrate so that at least four surfaces are formed after etching one of the side surfaces ;
A method of manufacturing a resonator element comprising: In claim 1 or claim 2 ,
The method of manufacturing a resonator element, wherein the etching step is performed by wet etching. In claim 3 ,
The etching step includes
A first mask is disposed on the principal surface on one side in the Y′- axis direction of the rotated Y-cut quartz substrate, a second mask is disposed on the principal surface on the other side in the Y′- axis direction , and the first Wet etching the rotating Y-cut quartz substrate through a mask and the second mask to form an outer shape of the vibrating piece;
Removing the first mask and the second mask;
Forming the at least four surfaces on at least one of the side surfaces by wet etching the vibration piece;
A method of manufacturing a resonator element comprising: In any one of Claims 1 thru | or 4 ,
The method of manufacturing a resonator element, wherein the at least four surfaces are arranged in the Y′-axis direction. A plane including an X-axis that is a crystal axis of quartz and a Z′-axis that is obtained by rotating the Z-axis that is the crystal axis toward the −Y-axis side of the Y-axis that is the crystal axis using the X-axis as a rotation axis. A rotating Y-cut quartz substrate having a thickness on a Y′-axis direction obtained by rotating the Y-axis that is a crystal axis toward the −Z-axis side of the Z-axis that is a crystal axis with the X-axis as a rotation axis. Have
At least one of the side surfaces of the two side surfaces intersecting the X-axis of the rotated Y-cut quartz substrate is viewed contains at least four surfaces,
In the main surface on one side in the Y′-axis direction, the main surface on the other side in the Y′-axis direction, and the side surface having the at least four surfaces, two surfaces whose end portions are connected to each other are An oscillating piece characterized in that the angle formed is an obtuse angle . In claim 6 ,
At least one of the side surfaces includes six surfaces. In claim 7 ,
The vibrating element is characterized in that the six surfaces are arranged in the Y′-axis direction. In claim 6 or claim 7 ,
The resonator element according to claim 1, wherein the at least four surfaces are arranged in the Y′-axis direction. In any one of Claims 6 thru | or 9 ,
The other side surface includes two surfaces. In any one of Claim 6 thru | or Claim 10 ,
A protrusion is provided on at least one of the principal surfaces of the rotating Y-cut quartz crystal substrate on the one side in the Y′-axis direction and the principal surface on the other side in the Y′-axis direction . Vibrating piece characterized by. In claim 11 ,
The projecting portion is disposed in a position closer to the other side surface than the side surface having the at least four surfaces in plan view. Claims 6 to be arranged excitation electrodes in the Y 'the main surface of one side in the axial direction and the Y' the main surface of the axial direction of the other side of the resonator element according to any one of claims 10 A vibrating element characterized by comprising: In claim 13 ,
The excitation element is arranged at a position closer to the other side surface than the side surface having the at least four surfaces in plan view. The position which overlaps the said protrusion part in planar view on the said main surface of the said Y'-axis direction one side and the said main surface of the other side of the said Y'-axis direction of the vibrating element of Claim 11 or Claim 12 An excitation electrode is disposed on the vibration element. In claim 15 ,
The excitation element is arranged at a position closer to the other side surface than the side surface having the at least four surfaces in plan view. In any one of Claims 13 thru / or Claim 16 ,
A pad electrode electrically connected to the excitation electrode;
The vibration element, wherein the pad electrode is disposed at a position overlapping the side surface having the at least four surfaces in a plan view. The vibration element according to any one of claims 13 to 17 ,
A package containing the vibration element;
A vibrator characterized by comprising: A vibration element according to claim 13 to claim 17 ,
Electronic components,
A package in which the vibration element and the electronic component are mounted;
An electronic device comprising: An electronic apparatus characterized by comprising a vibrating element according to claim 13 or claim 17. Mobile, characterized in that it comprises a vibrating element according to claim 13 or claim 17.

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