Quartz Tuning Fork Sensor-Based Dosimetry for Sensitive Detection of Gamma Radiation

This study generally relates to nuclear sensors and specifically to detecting nuclear and electromagnetic radiation using an ultrasensitive quartz tuning fork (QTF) sensor. We aim to detect low doses of gamma radiation with fast response time using QTF. Three different types of QTFs (uncoated and gold coated) were used in this study in order to investigate their sensitivity to gamma radiations. Our results show that a thick gold coating on QTF can enhance the quality factor and increase the resonance frequency from 32.7 to 32.9 kHz as compared to uncoated QTF. The results also show that increasing the surface area of the gold coating on the QTF can significantly enhance the sensitivity of the QTF to radiation. We investigated the properties of gold-coated and uncoated QTFs before and after irradiation by scanning electron microscopy. We further investigated the optical properties of SiO2 wafers (quartz) by spectroscopic ellipsometry (SE). The SE studies revealed that even a small change in the microstructure of the material caused by gamma radiation would have an impact on mechanical properties of QTF, resulting in a shift in resonance frequency. Overall, the results of the experiments demonstrated the feasibility of using QTF sensors as an easy to use, low-cost, and sensitive radiation detector.

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A new low‐cost high‐performance quartz tuning‐fork temperature sensor

Sensor Review ◽

10.1108/02602280310468242 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 23 (2) ◽

pp. 134-142 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

He Jin ◽

Chen Zhaoyang ◽

Lin Jiang ◽

Dai Jingmin

Keyword(s):

Temperature Sensor ◽

High Performance ◽

Tuning Fork ◽

Low Cost ◽

Quartz Tuning Fork

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Dynamic Responses of Electrically Driven Quartz Tuning Fork and qPlus Sensor: A Comprehensive Electromechanical Model for Quartz Tuning Fork

Sensors ◽

10.3390/s19122686 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 19 (12) ◽

pp. 2686

Author(s):

Manhee Lee ◽

Bongsu Kim ◽

Sangmin An ◽

Wonho Jhe

Keyword(s):

Resonance Frequency ◽

Quality Factor ◽

Tuning Fork ◽

Quartz Tuning Fork ◽

Dynamic Responses ◽

Peak Amplitude ◽

Quantitative Prediction ◽

Dynamic Features ◽

Electromechanical Model ◽

Different Characteristics

A quartz tuning fork and its qPlus configuration show different characteristics in their dynamic features, including peak amplitude, resonance frequency, and quality factor. Here, we present an electromechanical model that comprehensively describes the dynamic responses of an electrically driven tuning fork and its qPlus configuration. Based on the model, we theoretically derive and experimentally validate how the peak amplitude, resonance frequency, quality factor, and normalized capacitance are changed when transforming a tuning fork to its qPlus configuration. Furthermore, we introduce two experimentally measurable parameters that are intrinsic for a given tuning fork and not changed by the qPlus configuration. The present model and analysis allow quantitative prediction of the dynamic characteristics in tuning fork and qPlus, and thus could be useful to optimize the sensors’ performance.

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Resonance frequency-retuned quartz tuning fork as a force sensor for noncontact atomic force microscopy

Applied Physics Letters ◽

10.1063/1.4891882 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 105 (4) ◽

pp. 043107 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Hiroaki Ooe ◽

Tatsuya Sakuishi ◽

Makoto Nogami ◽

Masahiko Tomitori ◽

Toyoko Arai

Keyword(s):

Atomic Force Microscopy ◽

Resonance Frequency ◽

Tuning Fork ◽

Quartz Tuning Fork ◽

Force Sensor ◽

Force Microscopy ◽

Atomic Force

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HCl ppb-level detection based on QEPAS sensor using a low resonance frequency quartz tuning fork

Sensors and Actuators B Chemical ◽

10.1016/j.snb.2016.04.114 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 233 ◽

pp. 388-393 ◽

Cited By ~ 35

Author(s):

Yufei Ma ◽

Ying He ◽

Xin Yu ◽

Cheng Chen ◽

Rui Sun ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Resonance Frequency ◽

Tuning Fork ◽

Quartz Tuning Fork ◽

Qepas Sensor

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Design, Development and Testing of Quartz Tuning Fork Temperature Sensor

Key Engineering Materials ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/kem.483.143 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 483 ◽

pp. 143-147

Author(s):

Jing Ma ◽

Jun Xu ◽

Bo You

Keyword(s):

Temperature Sensor ◽

Tuning Fork ◽

Low Cost ◽

Quartz Tuning Fork ◽

Design Development ◽

Metal Electrodes ◽

Crystalline Quartz ◽

Flexural Mode ◽

External Temperature ◽

Satisfactory Performance

In this paper, a low cost quartz tuning fork temperature sensor adopting H-shaped tuning fork resonator to address miniaturization, high resolution and high stability has been designed, developed and tested. The quartz tuning temperature sensor is designed vibrating in flexural mode with a new thermo-sensitive cut. The quartz tuning fork temperature sensor consists of two prongs connected at one end of crystalline quartz plate with thin-film metal electrodes deposited on the faces, which is used to produce vibration in response to alternating voltages and detecting the resonance frequency in the meantime. When an external temperature is change, there is a shift in its natural frequency. Based on this principle, a resonant thermometer is designed. Finite element method is used to analyze the vibratory modes and optimize the structure. The whole structure is 500μm thickness, the length of tuning fork arm is 3076μm and the width of tuning fork arm is 600um, the frequency of tuning fork is about 37kHz with a sensitivity of rough 85 ppm/°C. The experimental results shown that a temperature accuracy of 0.01 °C and a resolution of 0.005 °C within temperature range from 0 °C to 100 °C. All these research are helpful to design satisfactory performance of the sensor for temperature measurement.

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