Robust Optical Detection Method for the Vibrational Mode of a Tuning Fork Crystal Oscillator

We present an optical detection method for the fundamental vibrational mode of a tuning fork crystal oscillator in air. A focused He/Ne laser beam is directed onto the edge of one vibrating tine of the tuning fork; its vibrating motion chops the incoming laser beam and modulates the intensity. The beam with modulated intensity is then detected and converted to an electrical signal by a high-speed photo-detector. This electrical signal is a sinusoid at the resonant frequency of the tuning fork vibration, which is 32.76 kHz. Our scheme is robust enough that the sinusoidal signal is detectable at up to $40^{\circ}$ of rotation of the tuning fork.