Mark 24

Thermoelectric Quartz Crystal Microbalances

The Mark 24 Thermoelectric Quartz Crystal Microbalance (MK24 TQCM) is a breakthrough in miniaturization. It is the smallest and lightest TQCM in our product line. This QCM is rugged in design, built to withstand shock, vibration and varying temperatures from -25°C to +80°C when active and -199°C to 100°C when the peltier heat exchanger is not in use.

The Mark 24 Thermoelectric Quartz Crystal Microbalance (MK24 TQCM) is a breakthrough in miniaturization. It is the smallest and lightest TQCM in our product line. This QCM is rugged in design, built to withstand shock, vibration and varying temperatures from -25°C to +80°C when active and -199°C to 100°C when the peltier heat exchanger is not in use.

Introducing

The Mark 24 Thermoelectric Quartz Crystal Microbalance (MK24 TQCM) is a breakthrough in miniaturization. It is the smallest and lightest TQCM in our product line. This QCM is rugged in design, built to withstand shock, vibration and varying temperatures from -25°C to +80°C when active and -199°C to 100°C when the peltier heat exchanger is not in use. Weighing in at less than 4.5 grams and requiring only 1.54 Watts of peak power, the MK24 is “in step” with aerospace budget demands to reduce payload, scale, and power consumption.

Each MK24 has an internal, single stage, thermoelectric peltier heating and cooling element. When used in conjunction with an internal temperature sensor, it allows accurate remote control of the crystal temperature. The crystal temperature can be adjusted to where gasses condense on the crystal, and the increased mass of the condensation changes the frequency of the crystal in a linear mass-to-frequency relationship. QCMs can be extremely sensitive down to the monomolecular level. By adjusting the temperature of the crystals to specific condensation temperatures, one can look for various gasses and contaminates as they condense and then they can be boiled off to prepare for another measurement.

MK24s have also been used in a reverse procedure where the crystals have been coated with various substances. The MK24 has then been tested in Low Earth Orbit to determine the erosion rate of the substance. Material laboratories use TQCMs in the investigation of vacuum outgassing of spacecraft materials in space simulation vacuum chambers.

MK24 TQCMs can be flight approved and have flight history. Custom orders are common and welcome. Call to discuss how we can build a MK24 TQCM system to meet your needs.

Diagrams

Specifications

Sensor Output Beat Frequency 1 Hz to ~250 KHz (linear), ~650 KHz max.
Temperature Range -199 to 100°C w/o Temp control (passive), -25°C to+80°C (for heat sink at 20°C)
Signal Amplitude 6.0V to 10 V peak to peak beat frequency output
Voltage Sensitivity <23 Hz/V
Output Impedance 12KΩ
Pressure Range Ambient to Hard Vacuum
Supply Voltage 9 to 11 VDC (10VDC Nominal)
Continuous Power Requirement 100 mW w/o Peltier
Peltier Heat Load 1.44 watts
Temperature Sensor 1KΩ Platinum Resistance Thermometer (PRT)
Weight ~4.5 grams
Field of View 70.3° Half angle
Crystal Frequencies 10 MHz Crystals 15 MHz Crystals
Mass Sensitivity 2.26 x 108 (Hz/gm)cm2 5.09 x 108( Hz/gm)cm2
Frequency Range To ~ 100KHz To ~ 150KHz
Mass Range 4.42 x 10-4gm/cm2 2.95 x 10-4gm/cm2

Warranty

QCM Research products are warranted for a period of ONE YEAR from the date of receipt by the purchaser against defects in materials and workmanship. QCM Research expressly limits its liability to the replacement or repair of the article furnished (this choice is at the sole discretion of QCM Research). This warranty does not apply to products that have been disassembled, modified or subjected to conditions exceeding the applicable product specifications and ratings. In the event of any of the foregoing, the warranty will be void. Failure due to excessive contamination is not covered under warranty, whether from proper or improper use. QCM Research disclaims any warranty other than as specifically set forth herein, and may discontinue models or alter their specifications without notice.

Digital Brochure Get your copy of the Mark 24 brochure now.
Download Now
Have a Question?
Our team of experts are here to assist you.
Hours are 9am to 5pm Pacific Standard Time (PST), Monday through Friday.