INFICON RQCM - Quartz Crystal Microbalance Research System - Manual (Page 33)

RQCM – RESEARCH QUARTZ CRYSTAL MICROBALANCE
OPERATION 3-9
Figure 5 Typical Voltammogram Plot Obtained Using the RQCM
3.9 OPERATION GUIDELINES
This section offers some general guidelines to help minimize errors in the measurements due to
the environment of the sensor crystal. It is the user’s discretion as which are best to utilize for a
particular experiment. Keep the following tips in mind when setting up an experiment.
3.9.1 ALLOW THE RQCM TO WARM UP
Allow for about one to two hours of warm-up time for the RQCM’s electronics to reach
temperature equilibrium.
3.9.2 ISOLATE THE RQCM FROM TEMPERATURE CHANGE
Limit temperature changes of the RQCM’s environment as this will cause small changes in the
measured crystal frequency. The most likely source that alters the RQCM temperature is the
room air-conditioning system. Keep the RQCM away from the direct path of air-conditioning
vents.
3.9.3 FOR OPERATION IN AIR
In gas-phase measurements, the single factor that is most likely to induce frequency instability or