Abstract: Based on the theory for small fields superposed on relatively larger fields in an electroelastic body, a theoretical analysis is performed on a circular plate thickness-shear crystal resonator sealed in a circular cylindrical shell for pressure measurement. A simple expression is obtained for pressure induced frequency shifts in the resonator, which is examined for design optimization. Numerical results show that the frequency shifts depend linearly on the pressure, and that a pressure sensor with a softer outer shell or a smaller thickness ratio of the crystal plate to the outer shell has higher sensitivity.

Key words: pressure sensor, resonator, biasing fields, incremental fields, frequency shift