Temperature coefficient of sensitivity dependence of themeasurement error of quartz crystal resonators

This paper discusses the measurement error of quartz crystal resonators (QXRs) vs. the temperature coefficient of force sensitivity. Based on the analysis of the difference between the temperature coefficient of frequency and the temperature coefficient of force sensitivity, the measurement error formula is deduced. According to the error formula, the physical significance of the temperature coefficient of force sensitivity is explained, and the method of selecting a scale temperature is given. The measurement error formula has been verified recently by experimental results. To expand the selectable range of cut modes and to compare the performances of QXRs, the selecting principle of the best group of the angles of cut of quartz crystal plate, &thetas;, ϑ, and azimuth angle of applied force, ψ is given simultaneously. According to the measurement error formula and the selecting principle of the best group of the angles, the best azimuth angle of AT-cut used as force sensitive resonators is found through the analysis of the measurement error. This paper provides a theoretical basis on which the measurement accuracy of QXR force sensors can be improved     

Performances and limits of a parallel oscillator for electrochemical quartz crystal microbalances

This paper describes a driving circuit for an electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance (EQCM) adapted to a wide range of applications. The oscillator is a Miller-type parallel oscillator using an operational transconductance amplifier (OTA). A theoretical study of the oscillating circuit led to the analytical expression of the microbalance frequency as well as to an overestimation of the error on the mass measurement. The reliability of the EQCM was then experimentally verified through electrochemical copper deposition and dissolution. The limit of operation of the EQCM was also investigated, both analytically and experimentally. This work shows that parallel oscillators using few electronic components allow a very reliable EQCM to be obtained for mass measurements on metallic films, even if they are highly damped.     

Spectral density of oscillator with bilinear stiffness and white noise excitation

The power spectral density of an oscillator with bilinear stiffness excited by Gaussian white noise is considered. A method originally proposed by Krenk and Roberts [J Appl Mech 66 (1999) 225] relying on slowly changing energy for lightly damped systems is applied. In this method an approximate solution for the power spectral density at a given energy level is obtained by considering local similarity with the free undamped response. The total spectrum is obtained by integrating over all energy levels weighting each with the stationary probability density of the energy. The accuracy of the approximate analytical solution is demonstrated by comparing with results obtained by stochastic simulation. It is shown how the method successfully captures the broadening of the resonance peak and the presence of higher harmonics in the power spectral density of strongly non-linear systems.     

Double-resonance quartz crystal oscillator and excitation of a resonator immersed in liquid media

In this work we propose a novel circuit design: a double-resonance oscillator. Its oscillation shows two oscillation modes: frequency locking to the quartz crystal resonance and LC resonance oscillation. Transition of the oscillation mode and the strength of oscillation are analyzed and reviewed for the fundamental mode in comparison with a Colpitts oscillator. The experimental results support the estimates of negative resistance for the double-resonance oscillator compared with the LC oscillator.     

The state of the art of flicker frequency noise in BAW and SAW quartz resonators

Experimental results of the last 15 years are reviewed. Noise properties of crystal filters and oscillators are reported, along with practical measurements. It is shown that the additional phase fluctuations are compensated by frequency fluctuations and vice versa. With the assistance of these theoretical results the flicker and white frequency noise coefficients, h(-1) and h(0), respectively, are plotted versus unloaded Q and carrier frequency f(0) for the measured and published crystal oscillator noise characteristics. The dependence of h(-1) approximately 10(-12.75) Q(2) (u) is verified.     

A "space experiment" examining the response of a geosynchronous quartz crystal oscillator to various levels of solar activity

Viewing the frequency history of the high-quality quartz crystal oscillator onboard Milstar FLT-1 as a "space experiment," we have examined the response of the crystal to various solar flares that have occurred over the past 4 years. Our results show that, even for the largest solar flares that can be expected, timekeeping onboard a geosynchronous communications satellite need not be unduly perturbed by the enhanced space-radiation environment of a solar flare, so long as the ground station can take mitigating action within a few hours of the flare's onset.     

Delay-independent stability of moments of a linear oscillator with delayed state feedback and parametric white noise

The stability of a linear oscillator with delayed state feedback driven by parametric Gaussian white noise is studied in this paper. The first and second order moment equations of the system response are derived by using moment method and Itô differential rule. Based on the moment equations, the delay-independent stable conditions of both moments are proposed: For the first order moment, the sufficient and necessary condition that guarantee delay-independent stability is identified to that of the deterministic system; for the second order moment, the sufficient condition that ensure delay-independent stability depends on noise intensity. The theoretical results are also illustrated with numerical simulations.     

Stochastic stability of Duffing oscillator with fractional derivative damping under combined harmonic and white noise parametric excitations

The stochastic stability of a Duffing oscillator with fractional derivative damping of order α (0 < α < 1) under parametric excitation of both harmonic and white noise is studied. First, the averaged Itô equations are derived by using the stochastic averaging method for an SDOF strongly nonlinear stochastic system with fractional derivative damping under combined harmonic and white noise excitations. Then, the expression for the largest Lyapunov exponent of the linearized averaged Itô equations is obtained and the asymptotic Lyapunov stability with probability one of the original system is determined approximately by using the largest Lyapunov exponent. Finally, the analytical results are confirmed by using those from a Monte Carlo simulation of the original system.     

Rapid detection of bacterial spores using a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) immunoassay

Weaponized spores of a pathogenic bacterium such as Bacillus anthracis are a new critical threat to mankind. The occurrences in New York and south Florida in 2001 showed the potential capability of the spores to be used for mass destruction. Due to their stealthiness during the infection and resistance to harsh environment, an early and prompt detection of the spores before they endanger the population is a significant issue. In this paper, we present a method of instant identification of Bacillus subtilis (nonpathogenic simulant for Bacillus anthracis) spores by constructing a dual quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) immunosensing system. A set of 10-MHz AT-cut QCMs operating in thickness shear mode are employed in an enclosed flowcell. Specificity is maintained through the use of an immuno-sensing layer consisting of monoclonal antibodies raised against spores of a single Bacillus species. The fidelity of sensing parameters is ensured by the presence of a reference device coated with an antibody that is not specific for the target antigen. Associating the QCM response signature with the specific binding of a particular species of Bacillus spore to an antibody has implications for future identification of pathogenic substances.     

Limitation of the frequency stability by local oscillator phase noise: new investigations and natural improvements

In frequency standards in which the atoms have a continuous interaction with the probe signal, local oscillator phase noise may limit medium term frequency stability. This spurious effect cannot be suppressed whenever there Is any truncation in the spectrum of the resonator response. Nevertheless, a simultaneous processing of the probe signal, similar to that of the NIST, and of the resonator response (by means of an appropriate demodulation) makes it possible to reduce this limiting effect. Previously achieved with a square wave frequency modulation, this result is now extended to various frequency modulations. An uncontrolled distortion in the demodulation waveform may significantly degrade the performance. For the case of a square wave phase modulation, the limiting effect also exists, but it is smaller than for a frequency modulation. When the phase noise of the local oscillator is naturally "not flat", it is possible to easily reduce the spurious effect: using the quasi-static approximation, one can calculate various optimized demodulation waveforms and the corresponding improvements. For the simplest optimized demodulation (f (M), 3f(M)), theoretical predictions are experimentally confirmed for flicker phase noise and flicker frequency noise.     

Probabilistic response of nonlinear systems under combined normal and Poisson white noise via path integral method

In this paper the response in terms of probability density function of nonlinear systems under combined normal and Poisson white noise is considered. The problem is handled via a Path Integral Solution (PIS) that may be considered as a step-by-step solution technique in terms of probability density function. A nonlinear system under normal white noise, Poissonian white noise and under the superposition of normal and Poisson white noise is performed through PIS. The spectral counterpart of the PIS, ruling the evolution of the characteristic functions is also derived. It is shown that at the limit when the time step becomes an infinitesimal quantity an equation ruling the evolution of the probability density function of the response process of the nonlinear system in the presence of both normal and Poisson White Noise is provided.     

多面体结构镍粉的溶剂热制备以及镍的晶型转变

以无水乙醇作为溶剂和还原剂,在不锈钢反应釜中于不同的反应温度还原N i(Ac)2.4H2O制备金属镍粉。X射线衍射分析(XRD)结果显示,当反应温度小于230℃,大于300℃时,产物为单相的面心立方晶镍,而温度在250-280℃时,产物为面心立方和六方镍的混合物。扫描电镜(SEM)和透射电镜(TEM)结果显示,在不同的温度条件下,产物分别有不规则微球、孔状微球以及多面体结构等不同的形貌出现。当温度为250℃时,样品为单一的不规则团聚微球,当温度为300℃时,样品为微球、孔状微球和多面体的混合物。当温度为400℃时,产物为表面光滑形状规则的多面体结构,多面体直径约为1-2μm。测定了不同样品的磁性能,当样品为六方和面心立方两相混合物时,样品的磁矫顽力相对较大,而饱和磁化强度和剩磁相对较小。     

Measurement of static and vibration-induced phase noise in UHF thin-film resonator (TFR) filters

Measurements of the static phase noise and vibration sensitivity of thin-film resonator (TFR) filters operating at 640 and 2110 MHz have been made. They show that the short-term frequency instability of the filters is small compared with that induced in the oscillator signal by the sustaining stage amplifier PM (phase modulation) noise. In-oscillator measurement of filter performance under vibration indicates that fractional frequency vibration sensitivities (δf ₀/f₀) are on the order of several parts in 10^-9/g. Because the percentage bandwidth and order (number of poles) of the filters was fairly constant, so was the product of the center frequency and group delay. Thus, the fractional frequency vibration sensitivity of the filters can be expressed alternatively as carrier signal phase sensitivity to vibration. The τ-ω₀ product for the filters that were tested was on the order of 300 rad, so that the equivalent phase sensitivity to vibration was approximately 1 grad/g     

Effects of flow rate on sensitivity and affinity in flow injection biosensor systems studied by 55-MHz wireless quartz crystal microbalance

In this paper, we developed a 55-MHz wireless-electrodeless quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) and systematically studied the effects of flow rate on the sensitivity to the detection of proteins and on the affinity between biomolecules evaluated by the flow injection system. Brownian motion of proteins in liquid suggests a low probability of meeting, and the convection effect plays an important role in the sensitivity and the affinity in the flow cell injection system. The wireless quartz crystal was isolated in the QCM cell, and flow rates between 50 and 1000 microL/min were used for monitoring binding reactions between human immunoglobulin G and Staphylococcus aureus protein A. The sensitivity was significantly increased as the flow rate increased, while the affinity value remained unchanged. However, the affinity value was affected by the reaction time for a large-concentration analyte, indicating the need of a high-sensitivity biosensor system for accurate evaluation of affinity. The electrode effect on the QCM sensitivity was also theoretically investigated, showing that the electrode significantly deteriorates the QCM sensitivity and makes the Sauerbrey equation invalid.     

热致相分离制备聚偏氟乙烯膜

以聚偏氟乙烯(PVDF)为基材,选用3种稀释剂邻苯二甲酸二甲酯(DMP),间苯二甲酸二甲酯(DMIP),水杨酸甲酯(MS)为稀释剂,通过热致液-固相分离制备了微孔膜.结晶度随PVDF含量的增加先增加后降低,在40%(wt,下同)时结晶度最大.结晶温度随着PVDF-MS,PVDF-DMIP,PVDF-DMP的顺序降低.考察了不同降温条件对聚偏氟乙烯膜的结构的影响.在液-固相分离的前提下,通过不同的降温条件,得到球粒堆积的微观结构.     

Structure of medium temperature phase β-LaSc3(BO3)4 crystal

The compound β-LaSc₃(BO₃)₄ crystallizes in the rhombohedral with space group R32 and cell parameters a=9.819(3), c=7.987(1) Å, Z=3, V=666.5(3) Å³, Dc=3.80 g/cm³, λ(MoKα)=0.71067 Å, F(000)=708, final R=0.053. R_W=0.072 for 512 observed reflection with I≥3σ(I). The La atoms, Sc atoms and B atoms occupy trigonal prisms, octahedra and planar triangle of oxygen, respectively. The isolated LaO₆ trigonal prisms alternate along the c-axis with BO₃ triangle (B(1)) that are perpendicular to the c-axis. La³⁺ ions join by means of La-O-Sc(B)-O-La with the distance between La³⁺ ions being 6.263 Å. This structural characteristic will result in a weaker interaction between Nd³⁺ ions and a lower fluorescence concentration quenching effect.     

High-performance and broadband photodetection of bicrystalline(GaN)1-x(ZnO)x solid solution nanowires via crystal defect engineering

Crystal defect engineering is widely used as an effective approach to regulate the optical and opto-electronic properties of semiconductor nanostructures.However,photogenerated electron-hole pair recombination centers caused by structural defects usually lead to the reduction of optoelectronic perfor-mance.In this work,a high-performance photodetector based on(GaN)1-x(ZnO)x solid solution nanowire with bicrystal structure is fabricated and it shows excellent photoresponse to ultraviolet and visible light.The highest responsivity of the photodetector is as high as 60,86 and 43 A/W under the irradiation of 365 nm,532 nm and 650 nm,respectively.The corresponding response time is as fast as 170,320 and 160 ms.Such wide spectral responses can be attributed to various intermediate energy levels induced by the introduction of various structural defects and dopants in the solid solution nanowire.Moreover,the peculiar bicrystal boundary along the axial direction of the nanowire provides two parallel and fast trans-mission channels for photo-generated carriers,reducing the recombination of photo-generated carriers.Our findings provide a valued example using crystal defect engineering to broaden the photoresponse range and improve the photodetector performance and thus can be extended to other material systems for various optoelectronic applications.     

Sensing of digestive proteins in saliva with a molecularly imprinted poly(ethylene-co-vinyl alcohol) thin film coated quartz crystal microbalance sensor

The quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) has a sensitivity comparable to that of the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) transducer. Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) have a much lower cost than natural antibodies, they are easier to fabricate and more stable, and they exhibit satisfactory recognition ability when integrated onto sensing transducers. Hence, MIP-based QCM sensors have been used to recognize small molecules and, recently, microorganisms, but only a few have been adopted in protein sensing. In this work, a mixed salivary protein and poly(ethylene-co-vinyl alcohol), EVAL, solution is coated onto a QCM chip and a molecularly imprinted EVAL thin film formed by thermally induced phase separation (TIPS). The optimal ethylene mole ratios of the commercially available EVALs for the imprinting of amylase, lipase and lysozyme were found to be 32, 38, and 44 mol %, respectively. Finally, the salivary protein-imprinted EVAL-based QCM sensors were used to detect amylase, lipase and lysozyme in real samples (saliva) and their effectiveness was compared with that of a commercial ARCHITECT ci 8200 chemical analysis system. The limits of detection (LOD) for those salivary proteins were as low as ～pM.