Strong-axis Bending Mode Vibrations for Resonant Microcantilever (Bio)Chemical Sensors in Gas or Liquid Phase

Authors

Isabelle Dufour, Université de Bordeaux 1Follow
Stephen M. Heinrich, Marquette UniversityFollow
Fabien Josse, Marquette UniversityFollow

Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Language

eng

Format of Original

7 p.

Publication Date

8-2004

Publisher

Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)

Source Publication

Proceedings of the 2004 IEEE International Frequency Control Symposium and Exposition

Source ISSN

1075-6787

Original Item ID

doi: 10.1109/FREQ.2004.1418452

Abstract

The frequency stability, limit of detection (LOD), and sensitivity of a coated-cantilever chemical sensor operating in a dynamic mode are mainly determined by its mechanical quality factor. While a coated-cantilever operating in the gas phase exhibits a large reduction in Q-factor, immersion in liquids results in even greater Q-factor reduction, due to viscoelastic damping and losses in the surrounding liquid. Two different bending vibration modes are studied in order to understand their influence on the sensor sensitivity and to minimize the losses induced by the surrounding medium, thus maximizing the Q-factor and the detection limit of the biochemical microsensor. The two particular vibration modes involve both "first-mode" flexural vibrations (but in different orthogonal planes), and are known as "weak-axis bending" (WAB) mode and "strong-axis bending" (SAB) mode. Using Sader's model, the expression for the Q-factor is analysed for the case of immersion in a viscous fluid. A comparison of sensor performance in both WAB and SAB modes is made. In particular, the effects of the different operating modes on the resonant frequency, Q-factor, sensitivity, and LOD are examined. The results indicate that the SAB mode may have certain advantages over the more conventional WAB mode in enhancing the sensor sensitivity and detection limit, even for the case in which the WAB and SAB devices have identical resonant frequencies.

Comments

Published as part of the proceedings of the conference, IEEE International Frequency Control Symposium and Exposition, 2004: 193-199. DOI.

Recommended Citation

Dufour, Isabelle; Heinrich, Stephen M.; and Josse, Fabien, "Strong-axis Bending Mode Vibrations for Resonant Microcantilever (Bio)Chemical Sensors in Gas or Liquid Phase" (2004). Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research and Publications. 64.
https://epublications.marquette.edu/civengin_fac/64