Massensensitivität

Massensensitivität, a German term, translates to mass sensitivity. It is a concept primarily used in analytical chemistry and physics, particularly in the context of sensitive measurement devices. It quantifies how much the output signal of a sensor changes in response to a given change in mass. A higher mass sensitivity indicates that the sensor can detect smaller changes in mass, making it more sensitive overall.

This property is crucial for instruments like quartz crystal microbalances (QCMs) and resonant sensors. In QCMs, for example, mass sensitivity is directly related to the resonant frequency shift observed when mass is added to or removed from the quartz crystal surface. The relationship is often described by the Sauerbrey equation, which directly links the frequency change to the mass deposited.

Understanding mass sensitivity is vital for designing and calibrating instruments intended for applications such as chemical detection, biomolecular binding studies, and thin-film characterization. Factors influencing mass sensitivity include the material of the sensing element, its geometry, and the operating conditions of the device. Researchers and engineers aim to maximize mass sensitivity to achieve the lowest possible detection limits and the highest precision in their measurements.