On the Right- and Left-Handedness of Quartz and Its Relation to Elastic and Other Properties

The confusion concerning the elastic properties of quartz which exists in the literature of the piezoelectric resonator is pointed out. Emphasis is placed on the accepted definitions of right and left quartz and of right- and left-handed optical rotation, the disregard of which by authors, together with a rather free use of axial systems of their own choosing, sometimes obscurely defined, is responsible for the confusion. An independent experimental investigation is made of the interrela-tions between piezoelectric polarization, optical rotatory power, elastic compressional compliance, and characteristic etch markings and thereby with the natural face forms of the quartz. Particular care is taken to avoid any possible errors in sign in relating these properties, and a number of such errors in the literature are pointed out. The etch pattern on a quartz sphere is described as well as its use as a reference standard in determining the orientation of quartz resonators by means of the etch patterns on their faces.