Surface state improvement of ground AT and SC quartz cuts by controlled dissolution in NaOH,KOH, LiOH

After the studies which allowed us to perfect the chemical thinning down, or controlled dissolution, of both AT and SC quartz plates in NaOH and KOH media, respectively, we have investigated mixtures of these with another basic compound (LiOH) in order to discover a common solvent for both AT and SC cuts. The results show that crystallographic orientation and solvent nature have a great influence on controlled dissolution especially on the surface texture. It appears that the basic compound which has the smallest cation imposes its properties and consequently, the chemical polishing of both AT and SC cuts cannot be made in good conditions with the same solvent.