1″ Single-Wafer Quartz Crystal Microbalance Holder (QCM Cartridge) – Hefei Kejing
| Brand | Hefei Kejing |
|---|---|
| Origin | Anhui, China |
| Manufacturer Type | Authorized Distributor |
| Origin Category | Domestic (PRC) |
| Model | 1" Single-Wafer Holder |
| Pricing | Available Upon Request |
Overview
The 1″ Single-Wafer Quartz Crystal Microbalance Holder is a precision-engineered mechanical cartridge designed specifically for integration with quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) systems used in electrochemical and surface science laboratories. Unlike generic sample holders, this device adheres to the fundamental operational requirements of QCM measurement: minimal mass loading, mechanical stability during oscillation, and acoustic decoupling from environmental vibration sources. The holder secures a single 25.4 mm (1-inch) diameter crystalline substrate—such as silicon (Si), sapphire (Al₂O₃), or quartz—at its nodal plane using a symmetric internal leaf-spring mechanism. This ensures uniform clamping force without inducing stress-induced frequency drift or harmonic mode excitation. Its compact cylindrical geometry (Ø33 × 10 mm) conforms to standard QCM sensor module footprints and enables rapid, tool-free wafer insertion and removal—critical for high-throughput sensor regeneration protocols in corrosion studies, thin-film deposition monitoring, and biomolecular binding kinetics.
Key Features
- Optimized mechanical design with integrated torsion-resistant leaf springs that center and immobilize 1″ wafers without edge pressure or surface contact abrasion
- Chemically inert semi-transparent polypropylene construction compatible with common solvents (e.g., IPA, acetone, dilute acids/bases) and low-temperature plasma cleaning
- Dimensionally stable housing with ±0.05 mm tolerance on inner diameter and axial alignment—ensuring repeatable resonance frequency baseline across multiple insertions
- Low acoustic impedance interface minimizes energy dissipation at the crystal–holder boundary, preserving Q-factor (>10,000 typical under vacuum or N₂ purge)
- Stackable and rack-mountable form factor supports automated handling in multi-position QCM platforms and glovebox-integrated deposition systems
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
This holder accommodates rigid planar substrates with nominal diameters of 25.4 mm (1″) and thicknesses ranging from 0.1 mm to 1.0 mm—including Si, Al₂O₃, SiO₂, LiNbO₃, and gold-coated quartz blanks. It is not intended for flexible films, porous membranes, or non-circular geometries. The material complies with ISO 10993-5 (cytotoxicity screening) and meets RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU for restricted substances. While the holder itself carries no CE marking, it is engineered for use within full QCM systems conforming to IEC 61000-6-3 (EMC emissions) and IEC 61010-1 (safety requirements for laboratory equipment). For GLP/GMP-regulated environments, traceability is supported via batch-lot labeling and material certification upon request.
Software & Data Management
As a passive mechanical component, the holder requires no firmware or driver integration. However, its consistent dimensional repeatability directly contributes to measurement integrity in software-controlled QCM workflows. When used with industry-standard QCM data acquisition platforms—such as QSense Analyzer (Biolin Scientific), Stanford Research Systems SR830 lock-in amplifiers, or custom LabVIEW-based frequency-tracking modules—the holder eliminates inter-run variability caused by manual mounting artifacts. Full audit trails, including timestamped insertion/removal logs and calibration history, are maintained within the host system’s compliance framework, supporting FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements where electronic records are validated.
Applications
- In situ monitoring of atomic layer deposition (ALD) and chemical vapor deposition (CVD) processes on 1″ semiconductor wafers
- Real-time quantification of protein adsorption/desorption kinetics on functionalized Si or Al₂O₃ surfaces under flow-cell conditions
- Electrochemical QCM-D (quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring) studies of polymer brush swelling in electrolyte solutions
- Corrosion inhibitor film formation evaluation on model metal oxide substrates in simulated cooling water chemistries
- High-resolution mass sensitivity validation across multiple harmonics (5 MHz, 10 MHz, 25 MHz crystals) in controlled humidity chambers
FAQ
Is this holder compatible with 5 MHz and 10 MHz AT-cut quartz crystals?
Yes—its mechanical resonance suppression design is validated for fundamental frequencies between 4.95 MHz and 10.05 MHz, covering standard AT-cut crystals used in commercial QCM systems.
Can it be sterilized for biosensing applications?
Autoclaving is not recommended due to thermal deformation risk; however, ethylene oxide (EtO) gas sterilization and UV-C (254 nm, 30 min) exposure are validated methods per internal biocompatibility testing reports.
Does the holder affect the Sauerbrey mass sensitivity calculation?
No—when mounted correctly, the holder introduces negligible parasitic mass (<0.02% of crystal mass) and does not alter the effective active area; Sauerbrey assumptions remain valid for Δf < 5% of f₀.
Are custom inner diameters or material grades available?
Yes—custom PTFE, PEEK, or quartz-machined variants with tight-tolerance bores (±0.01 mm) are available under OEM agreement with minimum order quantities.
