Abstract

In this communication, the gravimetric sensitivities of two geometrically different microfabricated beam structures are reported. Each was loaded serially with gold followed by chromium metal by vapor depositing through a shadow mask exposing only the end of the structures. The change in fundamental resonance frequency was found to be solely a function of the density of the deposited for deposits less than 50 nm in thickness. Therefore, the change in the resonance frequency of the mechanical beam is solely a function of the end-loaded mass. The gravimetric sensitivities of the fundamental mode of excitation for these structures, measured under ambient excitation conditions, is of the order of 10 3 cm 2 g −1 while the minimum detectable mass density with this type of structure can be as small as approximately 0.5 ng cm −2. A theoretical relationship is provided that enables further enhancement of the gravimetric sensitivity of these structures through decreasing the thickness and density of the microsensor. Through establishing a quantitative comparison between these structures and other, more traditional acoustic wave sensors, it will be shown that these micromechanical devices offer potential advantages in environmental monitoring applications.

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