Published June 2003 | Version v1
Journal article

High-stability quartz-crystal microbalance for investigations in surface science

  • 1. Department of Physics, Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario K9J 7B8 (Canada)

Description

This article describes a high-stability quartz-crystal microbalance (QCM) and the methodology for measuring the change in mass during thin-film growth in deposition and sputter processes. Much lower noise and higher-frequency stability have been achieved than with conventional QCMs. A stability of ±0.1 Hz at 6 MHz has been obtained over 4 h, with a rms stability of 0.03 Hz. The adsorption of one atomic monolayer of oxygen produces a frequency shift of about 5 Hz, so this stability enables the QCM to be used to determine the stoichiometry of submonolayer oxide films, as well as for high-accuracy measurements of adsorbate sticking probability and ion-milling rate

Additional details

Identifiers

Publishing Information

Journal Title
Review of Scientific Instruments
Journal Volume
74
Journal Issue
6
Journal Page Range
p. 3039-3044
ISSN
0034-6748
CODEN
RSINAK

INIS

Country of Publication
United States
Country of Input or Organization
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
INIS RN
35057385
Subject category
S36: MATERIALS SCIENCE;
Resource subtype / Literary indicator
Numerical Data
Descriptors DEI
ACCURACY; ADSORPTION; CRYSTAL GROWTH; CRYSTALS; DEPOSITION; ELECTROMECHANICS; EXPERIMENTAL DATA; KINETICS; MASS; MICROBALANCES; OXIDES; OXYGEN; PIEZOELECTRICITY; PROBABILITY; QUARTZ; RESONATORS; SPUTTERING; STABILITY; THIN FILMS
Descriptors DEC
BALANCES; CHALCOGENIDES; DATA; ELECTRICITY; ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT; ELEMENTS; EQUIPMENT; FILMS; INFORMATION; MEASURING INSTRUMENTS; MECHANICS; MINERALS; NONMETALS; NUMERICAL DATA; OXIDE MINERALS; OXYGEN COMPOUNDS; SORPTION; WEIGHT INDICATORS

Optional Information

Notes
(c) 2003 American Institute of Physics.