In this pager, the effect of stepped bi-mesa structures on the coupling of
vibrations in AT-cut quartz plates is analyzed theoretically. Since strong
coupling of thickness-flexure modes are of interest, straight-crested waves
propagating along the X axis are treated. Calculated results for the stepp
ed bi-mesa structure show that the coupling strength as estimated from its
mode chart decreases to about one-third that of a bi-mesa resonator. The ch
aracteristics of bi-mesa structures appear to be amenable to further improv
ement by the use of a stepped bi-mesa structure.