Inertial mass sensing with low Q-factor vibrating microcantilevers

Adhikari, S. (2017) Inertial mass sensing with low Q-factor vibrating microcantilevers. Journal of Applied Physics, 122(14), 144304. (doi: 10.1063/1.4993678)

Full text not currently available from Enlighten.

Abstract

Mass sensing using micromechanical cantilever oscillators has been established as a promising approach. The scientific principle underpinning this technique is the shift in the resonance frequency caused by the additional mass in the dynamic system. This approach relies on the fact that the Q-factor of the underlying oscillator is high enough so that it does not significantly affect the resonance frequencies. We consider the case when the Q-factor is low to the extent that the effect of damping is prominent. It is shown that the mass sensing can be achieved using a shift in the damping factor. We prove that the shift in the damping factor is of the same order as that of the resonance frequency. Based on this crucial observation, three new approaches have been proposed, namely, (a) mass sensing using frequency shifts in the complex plane, (b) mass sensing from damped free vibration response in the time domain, and (c) mass sensing from the steady-state response in the frequency domain. Explicit closed-form expressions relating absorbed mass with changes in the measured dynamic properties have been derived. The rationale behind each new method has been explained using non-dimensional graphical illustrations. The new mass sensing approaches using damped dynamic characteristics can expand the current horizon of micromechanical sensing by incorporating a wide range of additional measurements.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Adhikari, Professor Sondipon
Authors: Adhikari, S.
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Infrastructure and Environment
Journal Name:Journal of Applied Physics
Publisher:AIP Publishing
ISSN:0021-8979
ISSN (Online):1089-7550
Published Online:12 October 2017

University Staff: Request a correction | Enlighten Editors: Update this record