Quartz Crystal Microbalance equilibrium

[dorins]

Hi guys,

I am a new user of QCM and I am having trouble reaching equilibrium. I have isolated the chamber from air flows and vibrations, the crystals are clean and all the other removable parts have been cleaned as well.
The real problem is that sometimes I have managed to reach equilibrium by doing the exact same steps but 4/5 tries the frequency just giggles around in both air and water interfaces.

I do not know what else to try.

If any experienced users of QCM have suggestions, they would be very welcome and I would be very thankful.

 

[rigetFrog]

I'm assuming you're using it for monitoring deposited film thickness?

If you tell me which company made your quartz crystal monitor, I'll see what I can scrounge up.

 

[UltrafastPED]

How are you pumping down the system to achieve a vacuum? Your vibration isolation may be insufficient. Or your station is picking up vibrations from another external source, particularly if you are located in an upper floor of a building.

If those are not the answer, there may be a problem with the mounting of the crystal.

There are other possibilities. Is this a new system?