Patent ID: 7417362

Claim:
A. frequency adjusting method for a tuning fork resonator, wherein the timing fork resonator comprises a piezoelectric element, the piezoelectric element including a base portion, a plurality of leg portions, a drive electrode formed on each of the leg portions, and a metal film for frequency adjustment formed on each of the leg portions, wherein the metal film formed on each of the leg portions is connected to a corresponding one of the drive electrodes, wherein an oscillation frequency of the tuning fork resonator can be adjusted by removing a portion of the metal film by beam irradiation, and wherein each of the leg portions has a tip portion including a front major surface, a back major surface, side surfaces and a tip surface, the metal film being formed on at least one of the side surfaces of the tip portion or the tip surface of the tip portion, the frequency adjustment method comprising removing a portion of the metal film formed on the at least one of the side surfaces of the tip portion or the tip surface of the tip portion.