This paper describes the study of quartz, temperature sensors based on new
bulk acoustic wave microresonators operating in thickness modes. First, we
compare the thermal sensitivity and the electromechanical coupling coeffici
ents of singly or doubly rotated cuts. These investigations allow us to sel
ect some cuts with both a good thermal sensitivity and piezoelectric charac
teristics. In the second part, emphasis is placed on the micromachining of
resonators suspended by four bridges. These two theoretical considerations
lead to the choice of three cuts. Experimental measures are then presented.
The temperature - frequency characteristics of the resonators are measured
over the range 20 to 100 C. Motional resistances and Q factors are determi
ned at room temperature.