Crystal Detector

[PurelyNonsense]

Hey everyone. I'd like to know more about the way a crystal detector works. I've used them, have followed procedures by the numbers BUT have always wondered what is going on in that little piece of metal. I've assumed that the crystal sort of acts similar to a thermal voltage converter for pulse modulation at higher frequencies BUT I don't like guessing. So fellow metrology lovers, what is going on in there? Is there a good document discussing it? Thanks!

[briansalomon]

Here is the spec sheet for the 8473C.
http://cp.literature.agilent.com/litweb/pdf/5952-8299.pdf

If you look at figure 7 it says "equivalent circuit". I believe this is referring to a solid state circuit. They're components that perform exactly like discreet ones but are made by sputtering and etching materials onto silicon.

I believe if I cut mine open it would look like a chunk of dull black glass with a few wires bonded to it but would actually be a diode, capacitor and resistor.