The Pierce oscillator is a type of electronic oscillator particularly well-suited for use in piezoelectric crystal oscillator circuits. Named for its inventor, George W. Pierce (1872–1956),[1][2] the Pierce oscillator is a derivative of the Colpitts oscillator. Virtually all digital IC clock oscillators are of Pierce type, as the circuit can be implemented using a minimum of components: a single digital inverter, one resistor, two capacitors, and the quartz crystal, which acts as a highly selective filter element. The low manufacturing cost of this circuit and the frequency stability of quartz crystals make it advantageous for many consumer electronics applications.
- ^ Pierce, George W. (October 1923), "Piezoelectric crystal resonators and crystal oscillators applied to the precision calibration of wavemeters", Proceedings of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, 59 (4): 81–106, doi:10.2307/20026061, hdl:2027/inu.30000089308260, JSTOR 20026061
- ^ US 2133642, Pierce, George W., "Electrical System", published 1938-10-18