Deposition Sensor Crystals In Stock | 4.4, 5 & 6 MHz
Deposition Sensor Crystals in Stock: 4.4 MHz, 5 MHz and 6 MHz Alloy & Gold Options
YTI Currently Stocks Multiple Deposition Monitoring Crystal Configurations
Deposition monitoring depends on relatively small components that have a direct impact on the ability to measure and control a coating process.
Sensor head crystals are one of those components.
Yeagle Technology Inc. currently lists multiple crystal configurations for compatible deposition monitoring applications, including alloy and gold options across 4.4 MHz, 5 MHz and 6 MHz frequencies.
Current listed inventory at the time of publication includes:
- 4.4 MHz Alloy: 69 crystals
- 5 MHz Alloy: 1,310 crystals
- 5 MHz Gold: 700 crystals
- 6 MHz Alloy: 2,950 crystals
- 6 MHz Gold: 494 crystals
YTI’s crystals are supplied in boxes of 10. Current quantity, package availability, compatibility and pricing should be confirmed when ordering because inventory can change.
What Is a Deposition Sensor Crystal?
Quartz crystal monitoring is commonly used in thin-film deposition equipment to measure changes associated with material accumulating on the crystal.
The monitoring system uses this information as part of determining deposition rate and film thickness.
The crystal sits within a sensor head positioned where it can monitor the deposition process.
Because material accumulates on the crystal during use, crystals are consumable components and eventually require replacement.
Why Crystal Frequency Matters
A replacement crystal needs to match the requirements of the monitoring equipment and sensor configuration.
YTI currently stocks crystals across several commonly used frequencies:
4.4 MHz Alloy Crystals
Current listed quantity: 69 crystals
These crystals provide a 4.4 MHz option for compatible sensor-head and deposition-monitoring applications.
5 MHz Alloy Crystals
Current listed quantity: 1,310 crystals
This represents one of YTI’s larger currently stocked crystal inventories.
5 MHz Gold Crystals
Current listed quantity: 700 crystals
Gold-coated 5 MHz crystals provide another option for compatible deposition monitoring systems.
6 MHz Alloy Crystals
Current listed quantity: 2,950 crystals
YTI currently lists a substantial inventory of 6 MHz alloy sensor crystals.
6 MHz Gold Crystals
Current listed quantity: 494 crystals
These provide a gold-coated 6 MHz option for compatible monitoring equipment.
Because sensor heads and controllers vary, frequency and crystal type should be verified against the existing equipment rather than selected solely from inventory.
Alloy vs. Gold Sensor Crystals
The correct crystal configuration depends on the monitoring system, deposited material, process requirements and established setup.
A facility that has successfully been operating a particular crystal configuration should generally identify that existing specification before ordering replacements.
Useful information includes:
- Crystal frequency
- Crystal material or coating
- Sensor head manufacturer
- Sensor head model
- Deposition controller
- Existing crystal packaging or labeling
- Process material
If the exact specification is uncertain, photographs of the sensor head, controller and existing crystals can help identify the correct replacement path.
Why Coating Facilities Should Keep Crystals in Inventory
Unlike many larger vacuum components, sensor crystals are consumable.
That makes crystal stocking relatively straightforward.
A facility can review historical crystal usage and maintain enough inventory to cover normal consumption plus a reasonable buffer.
The appropriate stock level depends on:
- Number of coating systems
- Production frequency
- Number of sensor heads
- Crystal replacement interval
- Materials being deposited
- Planned maintenance schedule
- Supplier lead time
For facilities operating continuously, running out of the correct crystal can create avoidable delays.
Sensor crystals should therefore be included in a broader critical spare parts inventory for vacuum coating systems.
Crystals Are Only One Part of the Deposition Monitoring Chain
Replacing a crystal will not solve every rate or thickness monitoring problem.
The complete measurement chain can include:
- Sensor crystals
- Sensor heads
- Oscillators
- Cables
- Feedthroughs
- Deposition controllers
- Rate and thickness monitoring electronics
- Source feedback
- Control-system interfaces
Problems can also originate outside of the monitoring system itself.
Source instability, poor vacuum conditions, shielding changes, process geometry or cooling problems can influence coating behavior.
YTI supports deposition controllers and instrumentation along with replacement components, allowing the monitoring system to be evaluated as part of the complete process when necessary.
Keep Crystal Inventory Organized by Frequency and Type
Facilities using multiple coating systems should avoid storing all crystals as one generic inventory item.
A better approach is to label inventory by:
- Frequency
- Material
- Compatible sensor
- Compatible machine
- Quantity
- Storage location
This becomes particularly helpful when several generations of deposition equipment operate within the same facility.
A well-organized inventory reduces the chance of installing the wrong component during maintenance or production recovery.
Other Vacuum Components Worth Stocking
Sensor crystals are predictable consumables, but facilities should also evaluate components whose failure could unexpectedly stop the system.
Examples include feedthroughs, source hardware, electronics and magnetic components.
YTI currently manufactures Sloan-style X and Y magnets and maintains finished inventory of both configurations.
Read our guide to Sloan-style X and Y magnets currently in stock for current quantities and additional information.
For a broader overview, see Vacuum Components and Replacement Parts: What Coating Facilities Should Keep Available.
Browse Current YTI Sensor Crystal Inventory
Current sensor crystal listings can be viewed through the YTI Components catalog along with magnets, cold traps, feedthroughs, manifolds, refrigeration traps and custom vacuum hardware.
When requesting crystals, provide the frequency, material, monitoring system and desired quantity whenever possible.
YTI can confirm current availability and whether the listed crystal is appropriate for the intended sensor-head and deposition-monitoring application.
