Single Quartz Research Articles

AT-Cut Quartz Piezoelectric Transformers for Passive Voltage Gain in an RF Front-End

The purpose of this work is to assess the performance of an AT-cut quartz device as a two-port resonant transformer for near-zero power-consuming wake-up receiver applications. The device consists of two, coupled thickness-shear mode trapped-energy ~50 MHz resonators on a single quartz substrate. Passive voltage gain up to 84 V/V (referenced to $50\Omega $ ) is observed when the device is driven by a low-power signal (≤ −30 dBm) at resonance. This transformer offers high voltage gain suitable for use in the front-end of a near-zero-power wake-up receiver. Additionally, this work shows that connecting two coupled-resonator quartz devices in a parallel-input, series-output (PISOT) configuration provides improvements in voltage gain. A 17% increase in gain is demonstrated for PISOT over that of a single coupled resonant transformer for various load impedances. This work is the first use of quartz piezoelectric transformers (PTs) for passive voltage gain, and the highest open-circuit gain demonstrated in a two-port micromechanical PT.

A Perspective on Recent Advances in Piezoelectric Chemical Sensors for Environmental Monitoring and Foodstuffs Analysis

This paper provides a selection of the last two decades publications on the development and application of chemical sensors based on piezoelectric quartz resonators for a wide range of analytical tasks. Most of the attention is devoted to an analysis of gas and liquid media and to industrial processes controls utilizing single quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) sensors, bulk acoustic wave (BAW) sensors, and their arrays in e-nose systems. The unique opportunity to estimate several heavy metals in natural and wastewater samples from the output of a QCM sensor array highly sensitive to changes in metal ion activity in water vapor is shown. The high potential of QCM multisensor systems for fast and cost-effective water contamination assessments “in situ” without sample pretreatment is demonstrated.

The first successful application of Optically Stimulated Luminescence dating to a colonial era (

While exploration of Australian post-colonial (≤0.25 ka) OSL dating is well established in a range of natural sedimentary contexts (e.g. fluvial, aeolian, coastal), to date there have been no successful examples of the technique applied to archaeological sediments of this era. Here we present the results of multi-phase compliance-based archaeological excavations of a new bridge crossing, the Hawkesbury-Nepean River (northwest Sydney). These works identified a Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) aeolian deposit through which a colonial era drainage system had been excavated. Historical documents reveal the construction of the system occurred between 1814 and 1816 CE. An opportunistic range-finding Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) sample was obtained from anthropogenic trench backfill – composed of reworked LGM deposits – immediately above the drainage system. Minimum and Finite Mixture age models of single grain quartz OSL provided a date of 1826 CE (1806–1846 CE), in close agreement with the documented age of construction. These findings provide the first evidence of a colonial structure reliably dated using OSL, and demonstrate the feasibility of wider deployment of OSL dating to other archaeological sites of the recent era (≤0.25 ka). We propose that such environments associated with large volumes of sand-rich backfill, in particular, likely heighten OSL dating success. We propose that well-documented historical archaeological sites in Australia also have the potential to provide a robust testing ground for further evaluating the accuracy of OSL dating in a range of young archaeological sedimentary contexts, potentially to sub-decadal levels.

An FDEM study of particle breakage under rotational point loading

The most commonly adopted method to test the strength of single sand particles is based on platen experiments. This setup tends to align the loading direction towards the particle minimum axis and provide an upper limit for the breakage stress. This paper numerically bypasses such limitation by using a combined finite and discrete element method (FDEM). FDEM was first validated via a mesh size analysis of a spherical particle and calibrated by in-situ experimental compressions of the single quartz sand particle, where the particle shape was obtained by X-ray micro-computed tomography (XCT) and then imported into the numerical model. Systematic point loading tests were recreated to explore the role of the curvature at contacting points on the breakage behaviour. The simulations allow to probe the same non-spherical particles, i.e., realistic quartz sand and ellipsoid particles, with multiple measurements highlighting the importance of the loading direction, which was inaccessible experimentally. Results show that FDEM can capture not only the crack initiation but also fracture patterns, while taking into account realistic shapes. It is found that the distance between two contact points and their combined curvedness reflecting the particle morphology are the two major factors governing fracture patterns and stresses. When loading is roughly parallel to the minimum principal dimension of particles, the obtained breakage stress and the number of fragments approach the upper limits.

Boosted thermoelectric properties of molybdenum oxide thin films deposited on Si substrates

[Formula: see text] has novel peculiarities and complexities due to multiple valence states of 4d molybdenum, but high carrier density impedes its thermoelectric (TE) application. Recent investigation has demonstrated that the TE performance of transition metal oxide films can be greatly enhanced by activating a parallel conduction channel in the perovskite substrates through reversible incorporation of oxygen. In this work, we report the TE properties of [Formula: see text] thin films deposited on single crystalline Si and quartz glass substrates by magnetron sputtering. The TE power factor (PF) in the former is above 40 times bigger than that in the latter. Such a large enhancement originates mainly from the significantly enhanced Seebeck coefficient, correlated with the contribution of the Si substrate. The highest PF value 1.78 mW/(m[Formula: see text]⋅[Formula: see text]K2) at 700 K in this [Formula: see text]/Si system is comparable to the state-of-the-art in other TE thin films. Based on the preceding research, our experimental results suggest a more economic and scalable route to explore high-performance TE thin films.

Estimating Sample Heterogeneity and Expected Scatter Due to Cracking in Packed Powder Samples Using a Two-Phase Model

High-precision Hugoniot measurements of heterogeneous materials are a key tool in creating accurate equations of state, but such measurements are prone to larger uncertainties than their homogeneous counterparts. To efficiently reduce these uncertainties one must estimate the relative contributions of different error sources. Sample cracking is one likely source. Here we estimate its contribution through modeling, using computed tomography scans of powdered single crystal quartz samples to estimate typical packing variation within and between samples. Samples were prepared using the same materials and methods. Cracks were prominent in the samples. We describe a simple model to estimate shock transit time variation for a single shot due to cracking, and estimate that up to 3% variation can be attributed to these structures. This suggests that decreasing variation requires addressing such packing heterogeneities during target fabrication rather than experimental diagnostics.

Selenium-Rich Ag–Au Mineralization at the Kremnica Au–Ag Epithermal Deposit, Slovak Republic

Selenium-rich Au–Ag mineralization has been discovered in the Kremnica ore district, central Slovakia. The mineralization is hosted by a single quartz–dolomite vein hosted by Neogene propyllitized andesites of the Kremnica stratovolcano. Ore mineralogy and crystal chemistry of individual ore minerals have been studied here. The early base-metal ore mineralization composed of pyrite, sphalerite, and chalcopyrite lacks selenium, whereas the superimposed Au–Ag paragenesis is Se-enriched. The Au–Ag alloys, uytenbogaardtite, minerals of the galena–clausthalite series, acanthite–naumannite series, diaphorite, miargyrite, pyrargyrite–proustite, polybasite group, minerals of the tetrahedrite group and andorite branch (andorite IV, andorite VI, Ag-excess fizélyite), freieslebenite, and rare Pb–Sb sulphosalts (scaiinite, robinsonite, plagionite) have been identified here. Besides selenides, the most Se-enriched phases are miargyrite, proustite–pyrargyrite, and polybasite–pearceite, whose Se contents are among the highest reported worldwide. In addition, one new phase has been found, corresponding to a Se-analogue of pearceite containing 2.08–3.54 apfu Se. The style of mineralization, paragenetic situation, and chemical trends observed in individual minerals are comparable to those of Au–Ag low-sulphidation epithermal Au–Ag mineralizations of the Kremnica and neighboring Štiavnica and Hodruša-Hámre ore districts. However, the pronounced enrichment in selenium is a specific feature of the studied vein only.

Validated simulations of dynamic crack propagation in single crystals using EFEM and XFEM

Brittle and quasibrittle materials such as ceramics and geomaterials fail through dynamic crack propagation during impact events. Simulations of such events are important in a number of applications. This paper compares the effectiveness of the embedded finite element method (EFEM) and the extended finite element method (XFEM) in modeling dynamic crack propagation by validating each approach against an impact experiment performed on single crystal quartz together with in-situ imaging of the dynamic fracture using X-ray phase contrast imaging (XPCI). The experiment is conducted in a Kolsky bar (generating a strain rate on the order of $$10^3\,\text {s}^{-1}$$ ) that is operated at the synchrotron facilities at the advanced photon source (APS). The in situ XPCI technique can record the dynamic crack propagation with micron-scale spatial resolution and sub-microsecond temporal resolution, and the corresponding images are used to extract the time-resolved crack propagation path and velocity. A unified framework is first presented for the dynamic discretization formulations of EFEM and XFEM. This framework clarifies the differences between the two methods in enrichment techniques and numerical solution schemes. In both cases, a cohesive law is used to describe the fracture process after crack initiation. The simulations of the dynamic fracture experiment using the two simulation approaches are compared with the in situ experimental observations and measurements. The performance of each method is discussed with respect to capturing the early crack propagation process.

Friction and wear behaviors of sand particle against casing steel

Tools abrasive wear due to sand particles has caused severe damage during oil and gas exploitation. The friction and wear behaviors of single quartz sand particle against N80 casing steel were investigated to estimate the particle transport resistance and particle abrasive wear behavior using a homemade tribometer in wellbore sand cleanout. Various measurements were conducted to research the impact factor of particle under different water processing condition, dry, short immersion, wet, influences of load and slide velocity. Experimental results indicated that particle-casing friction resistance is mainly formed due to plowing and adhesion effect. Casing transfer and plowing removal are two main damage forms. Particle real contact area increases noticeably after water absorption, which decreases the hertz contact stress and finally produces less plowing depth of casing steel and causes less damage. With load increasing, friction resistance and wear increase with addition of plowing depth. A simple particle-casing friction model was established considering the experimental contact behavior.

A Concept for the Estimation of Soil-Tool Abrasive Wear Using ASTM-G65 Test Data

In this paper, a new procedure for the prediction of soil-tool abrasive wear is presented which drastically reduces the duration and, therefore, the cost of simulations in comparison to conventional 3D wear modeling. The goal is to extend the experimental data from a single scratch test to the wear of mixtures by means of equations obtained from discrete element method (DEM) simulations and geometric relations. We are predicting abrasive wear with a combination of numerical and experimental approaches taking two shapes of particles into account. Single wear is quantified by measuring the width of scratch induced by a single quartz particle. Geometrical relations together with the particle’s microscopic picture are used to find the depth of scratch. DEM mixture simulations result in equations for the number of contacts and normal contact forces. Finally, the wear rate is calculated for a specific soil sample as an example to clarify the developed prediction procedure. The DEM simulations are performed using PFC $$^{3{\text {D}}}$$ code for both a homogeneous soil sample and a mixture of two different soils. We are specially investigating a relation to predict the abrasive wear caused by a mixture of particles.

Performance analysis of series: shunt configuration based RF MEMS switch for satellite communication applications

In this paper the RF-MEMS switch with series–shunt configuration on a single quartz substrate is presented to achieve high isolation than the individual series or shunt switches. This paper presents the isolation of series–shunt configuration switch of 84.7 dB is achieved at 26 GHz when both switches are in OFF state which is higher than the OFF state of the individual series switch and shunt switches. The return loss (s11) is less than − 60 dB, insertion loss is less than − 0.09 dB is observed for better performance in satellite communication applications. The series/ohmic and shunt/capacitive membranes are designed with uniform spring structure and crab leg structure, respectively and simulated using FEM tool. Ashby’s method is used to select the materials for the switch membranes/beam and dielectric layer. The gap between the dielectric and the movable beam is maintained at 3 µm in series switch and 2.5 µm for shunt switch to achieve same pull-in voltage of 23.5 V. The up-state and down-state capacitance of the device is calculated and compared with the simulated results which are 0.24 and 14.2 fF, respectively by considering TiO2 as a dielectric layer between membrane and lower electrode.

Confluence or independence of microwave plasma bullets in atmospheric argon plasma jet plumes

Plasma bullet is the formation and propagation of a guided ionization wave (streamer), normally generated in atmospheric pressure plasma jet (APPJ). In most cases, only an ionization front produces in a dielectric tube. The present study shows that two or three ionization fronts can be generated in a single quartz tube by using a microwave coaxial resonator. The argon APPJ plumes with a maximum length of 170 mm can be driven by continuous microwaves or microwave pulses. When the input power is higher than 90 W, two or three ionization fronts propagate independently at first; thereafter, they confluence to form a central plasma jet plume. On the other hand, the plasma bullets move independently as the lower input power is applied. For pulsed microwave discharges, the discharge images captured by a fast camera show the ionization process in detail. Another interesting finding is that the strongest lightening plasma jet plumes always appear at the shrinking phase. Both the discharge images and electromagnetic simulations suggest that the confluence or independent propagation of plasma bullets is resonantly excited by the local enhanced electric fields, in terms of wave modes of traveling surface plasmon polaritons.

Optical Magnetic Field Sensor Based on Electrogyratory and Electrooptic Compensation in Single Quartz Crystal

Optical Magnetic Field Sensor Based on Electrogyratory and Electrooptic Compensation in Single Quartz Crystal

大気/海洋を通じた北太平洋亜寒帯域への鉱物粒子輸送に関する研究～個別石英粒子のカソードルミネッセンス分析より～

大気/海洋を通じた北太平洋亜寒帯域への鉱物粒子輸送に関する研究～個別石英粒子のカソードルミネッセンス分析より～

Coarse versus fine-grain quartz optical dating of the sediments related to the 1985 Ms7.1 Wuqia earthquake, northeastern margin of the Pamir salient, China

Optical dating of earthquake related sediments were investigated including one modern sample and three samples from a trench excavated across the 1985 Ms7.4 Wuqia Earthquake surface rupture. The results indicated that equivalent dose (D<sub>e</sub>) values vary with grain size and the method used for D<sub>e</sub> determination. The residual dose of the modern sample is 0.1 ka ( 0.2−0.1+0.2$\begin{array}{} 0.2_{-0.1}^{+0.2} \end{array} $ Gy) for the quartz single grain measurements. Only 1.5–3.6% of the grains have a detectable OSL signal. Single grain quartz ages are similar to the expected ages. Fine grain quartz results overestimate the D<sub>e</sub> values and are much older than single grain quartz and coarse grain quartz small aliquot standardized growth curve (SA-SGC) ages. Single grain quartz OSL dating may be optimal for dating earthquake related deposits, but SA-SGC can save measurement time and has potential for dating some poorly bleaching samples.

Cyclic Magmatic-Hydrothermal Evolution in Porphyry Systems: High-Precision U-Pb and Re-Os Geochronology Constraints on the Tibetan Qulong Porphyry Cu-Mo Deposit*

We present high-precision chemical abrasion-isotope dilution-thermal ionization mass spectrometry (CA-IDTIMS) U-Pb zircon and isotope dilution-negative-thermal ionization mass spectrometry (ID-N-TIMS) Re-Os molybdenite geochronology of the world-class Tibetan Qulong porphyry Cu-Mo deposit. The data is used to constrain the timing, duration, and to yield implications for the ore-forming processes. The U-Pb data suggest that the preore Rongmucuola pluton crystallized at 17.142 ± 0.014/0.014/0.023 Ma (uncertainties presented as analytical/+ tracer/+ decay constant uncertainties), with emplacements of the synore P porphyry and postore quartz diorite occurring at 16.009 ± 0.016/0.017/0.024 and 15.166 ± 0.010/0.011/0.020 Ma, respectively. The Re-Os analysis of multiple independent molybdenite separations from single molybdenite-bearing quartz veins yields sub-‰ level analytical precision (<1‰), which is comparable with that of modern CA-ID-TIMS U-Pb zircon geochronology. The new Re-Os data indicate that the majority of the metals at Qulong were deposited over a minimum duration of 266 ± 13 k.y., between 16.126 ± 0.008/0.060/0.077 and 15.860 ± 0.010/0.058/0.075 Ma, with the main phase of mineralization being broadly synchronous with the emplacement of the P porphyry. However, our Re-Os data of molybdenite hosted within the Rongmucuola pluton imply that a portion of mineralization also predated the P porphyry and suggest that the P porphyry is an intermineral porphyry stock, although mineralization cut by P porphyry has not been previously documented or observed in this study. Correlating the Re-Os ages with vein types (A-B-D veins) demonstrates that the mineralization process was cyclical, with the presence of at least three short-lived (38 ± 11 to 59 ± 10 k.y.) mineralization pulses between 16.126 ± 0.008 and 16.050 ± 0.005, 16.040 ± 0.007 and 15.981 ± 0.007, and ~15.981 ± 0.007 and 15.860 ± 0.010 Ma. Coupling the Re-Os molybdenite ages and quartz (coprecipitated with the dated molybdenite) fluid inclusion data suggests that the cooling history was also cyclic, and implies a rapid cooling rate during the entire mineralization process (0.55° ± 0.11°C/k.y.), with much faster cooling rates (1.19° ± 0.82° to 1.27° ± 0.53°C/k.y.) for the individual mineralization pulses. The cyclic and rapid cooling process requires an additional cooling mechanism rather than the inefficient conduction, which we attribute to meteoric water circulation. The presence of mineralization predating the intermineral P porphyry stock and the absence of evidence of an early porphyry stock at Qulong suggest that mineralization potentially can take place without contemporaneous magmatism at mineralization levels. As a result, dating magmatic events may not necessarily bracket the entire mineralization duration of a porphyry system. This highlights the importance of dating ore minerals to reveal a comprehensive picture of the magma-hydrothermal process. In addition, the absence of contemporaneous magmatism during mineralization has broad implications for the classification of porphyry copper deposits and mineral exploration. The timescales of mineralization cycles constrained here via direct dating of ore minerals (tens of k.y.) are comparable with those recently proposed through high-precision U-Pb zircon dating, diffusion modeling, and numerical simulation. We propose that the cyclic mineralization pulses are linked with the periodic release of volatiles from the lower crustal magma chamber, which are common for porphyry copper systems worldwide. The episodic/cyclic metal enrichment process potentially is one of the controlling factors of porphyry copper ore formation and is the key to differentiate the formation of economic and subeconomic porphyry deposits. Finally, direct comparison of molybdenite Re-Os dates from different laboratories and with the zircon U-Pb system needs to account for the much larger uncertainties from tracer calibration and decay constants, respectively. As a result, we lose the necessary resolution to investigate the ore-forming process at the k.y. level. Therefore, to reduce these uncertainties, calibration between the two chronometers, using shared tracer solutions and a transparent data reduction platform within the community is required.

Measurements of tension (P &lt; 0) in a metastable aqueous 2m Na2WO4–CsCl solution

The negative pressure (tension) was measured by Raman spectroscopy in an aqueous 2m Na2WO4–CsCl solution during a metastable-to-stable state transition. Phase transitions were observed optically in synthetic fluid inclusions in a single quartz crystal. In the metastable liquid phase, the vapor phase nucleation pressure at 48°C is −105 ± 5 MPa. Water equation of state (IAPWS-95) predicts the nucleation pressure for this density to be approximately −160 MPa.

Composition of Asian dust from cathodoluminescence spectral analysis of single quartz grains

Composition of Asian dust from cathodoluminescence spectral analysis of single quartz grains

Characterization of a pulsed injection-locked Ti:sapphire laser and its application to high resolution resonance ionization spectroscopy of copper

A high repetition rate pulsed Ti:sapphire laser injection-locked to a continuous wave seed source is presented. A spectral linewidth of 20 MHz at an average output power of 4 W is demonstrated. An enhanced tuning range from 710–920 nm with a single broadband mirror set is realized by the inclusion of a single thin birefringent quartz plate for suppression of unseeded emission. The spectral properties have been analyzed using both a scanning Fabry–Pérot interferometer as well as crossed beam resonance ionization spectroscopy of the hyperfine levels of natural copper. Delayed ionization of the long-lived excited state is demonstrated for increased resolution. For the excited state hyperfine coupling constant of the 244 nm 4s 2S 4s4p4P° ground-state transition in Cu, a factor of ten reduction in error compared to previous literature was achieved. The described laser system has been in operation at several radioactive ion beam facilities.

Design, Modeling, and Experiment of a Piezoelectric Pressure Sensor Based on a Thickness-Shear-Mode Crystal Resonator

This paper presents the design, modeling, and experimental demonstration of a novel pressure sensor using an AT-cut quartz crystal resonator with beat frequency analysis-based temperature compensation technique. The combination of a compact design of the proposed pie-zoelectric crystal resonator structure and temperature compensation technique has advantages such as high accuracy, low cost, and good performance attributes. The sensor measures pressure and temperature simultaneously with a single AT-cut quartz resonator, thus avoiding the thermal lag problem in the commercial multiresonator-based pressure sensors. The pressure sensor is designed using computer-aided design software and CAE software (COMSOL Multiphysics). Finite-element analysis (FEA) of the pressure sensor is performed to analyze the stress–strain of the sensor's mechanical structure. A 3-D-printing prototype of the sensor was fabricated, and the sensing principle was verified using a force–frequency analysis apparatus. Subsequently, a full-up pressure sensor was fabricated with a stainless steel housing and a built-in crystal oscillator circuit. Based on the FEA and experimental results, we have determined that the maximum pressure the sensor can safely measure is 45 psi. Test results performed on the stainless steel product show a good linear relationship between the input (pressure) and the output (frequency).