JP2010014587A - Measuring object characteristic measuring device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a measuring object characteristic measuring device capable of miniaturizing the device, preventing attenuation of an elastic surface wave, and maintaining measurement accuracy. <P>SOLUTION: In this measuring object characteristic measuring device 10 equipped with an elastic surface wave element 14 wherein a short-circuit propagation path 34 to be loaded with a measuring object 40 is formed between an input electrode 30 and an output electrode 32, a burst wave signal is input from an input terminal 42 to the input electrode 30, and a characteristic of the measuring object 40 is determined based on an output signal output from the output electrode 32 to an output terminal 44, by having a first switcher 24 and a second switcher 26. In the measuring object characteristic measuring device 10, the short-circuit propagation path 34 is shortened, and thereby miniaturization becomes possible as a measuring device for measuring a physical characteristic of the measuring object 40 having low conductivity. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an apparatus for measuring characteristics of an object to be measured, which includes a surface acoustic wave element in which a propagation path on which an object to be measured is loaded is formed between input and output electrodes and obtains the characteristics of the object to be measured.

  In general, a surface acoustic wave element includes a piezoelectric substrate, and an input electrode and an output electrode composed of comb-like electrode fingers provided on the piezoelectric substrate. In the surface acoustic wave element, when an electric signal is input to the input electrode, an electric field is generated between the electrode fingers, and the surface acoustic wave is excited by the piezoelectric effect and propagates on the piezoelectric substrate. Among these surface acoustic waves, detection of various substances and physical property values using surface acoustic wave elements that use a shear surface acoustic wave (SH-SAW) that is displaced in a direction perpendicular to the propagation direction An elastic wave sensor for performing measurement has been studied (Patent Document 1).

  In the acoustic wave sensor, there is a difference in the characteristics of the output signal output from the output electrode when the area of the object to be measured loaded on the piezoelectric substrate is electrically open and when it is short-circuited. By utilizing this, the dielectric constant and conductivity can be obtained as physical characteristics of the object to be measured. Further, when a concavo-convex structure is formed on the propagation path between the input electrode and the output electrode of the surface acoustic wave element and the object to be measured is loaded in the concave portion, the loaded object to be measured forms a pseudo film. This film is excited together with the piezoelectric substrate, and the density of the object to be measured can be obtained using the mass load effect in which the resonance frequency changes based on the mass of the film (Patent Document 2).

  Moreover, as an acoustic wave sensor, the adsorption amount of a chemical substance can be measured using a surface acoustic wave as a delay line (Patent Document 3). In this surface acoustic wave sensor, one terminal of an input converter and one terminal of an output converter are connected via a high-frequency amplifier to form a high-frequency loop. Yes. In this acoustic wave sensor, an arachidic acid LB film is formed between the input converter and the output converter, and the amount of chemical substance adsorbed on the arachidic acid LB film is changed with a frequency counter connected to the output converter. The amount of adsorption is detected by measuring.

Japanese Patent No. 3481298 Japanese Patent No. 3248683 JP 02-36350 A (see FIG. 1)

  When measuring physical characteristics of an object having low conductivity, it is necessary to increase the resolution. In general, it is known that the change in conductivity increases resolution in inverse proportion to the frequency. When measuring the physical characteristics of an object with low conductivity, it is necessary to increase the resolution. It is necessary to lower the frequency.

  However, in order to reduce the frequency, it is necessary to lengthen the propagation path length. For this purpose, it is necessary to lengthen the substrate in the direction in which the surface acoustic wave propagates, and the acoustic wave sensor itself becomes large. Further, when the propagation path length is simply increased, the surface acoustic wave propagating due to diffraction or a load on the propagation path of the object to be measured is attenuated, which may cause a reduction in measurement accuracy.

  In the elastic wave sensor disclosed in Patent Document 3, a delay line is formed between the input converter and the output converter. If this delay line is lengthened, a plurality of oscillation points exist, and a multiple oscillation state occurs, and the oscillation frequency changes. This makes it difficult to detect the amount of adsorption of chemical substances.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-described problems, and it is possible to reduce the size of the apparatus, prevent attenuation of surface acoustic waves, and maintain measurement accuracy. The purpose is to provide.

  An object property measuring apparatus according to the present invention includes a surface acoustic wave element having a propagation path in which an object to be measured is loaded between input and output electrodes, and inputs a burst wave signal from an input terminal to the input electrode. A device-under-test characteristic measuring apparatus for obtaining a property of the device under test based on an output signal output from the output electrode to an output terminal, the feedback path returning the output signal to the input electrode, and the input A first switch that switches a connection between the electrode and the input terminal or one end of the feedback path; and a first switch that switches the connection between the output electrode and the output terminal or the other end of the feedback path. 2 switchers.

  In the DUT characteristic measuring device, the first switch is switched to connect the input electrode and the input terminal, the second switch is switched to connect the output electrode and the other end of the feedback path. After connecting, input the burst wave signal from the input terminal to the input electrode, further switching the first switch, connecting the input electrode and one end of the feedback path, after a predetermined time, The second switch is switched to connect the output electrode and the output terminal, and output an output signal to the output terminal.

  Further, in the device-under-test characteristic measuring apparatus, an amplifier may be connected to the feedback path.

  According to the present invention, a feedback path that feeds back the output signal to the input electrode, a first switch that switches connection between the input electrode and the input terminal or one end of the feedback path, and the output By having a second switch for switching the connection between the electrode and the output terminal or the other end of the feedback path, the length of the propagation path is shortened and the physical property of the object to be measured having low conductivity is reduced. It can be miniaturized as a measuring device for measuring characteristics.

  The first switch is switched to connect the input electrode and the input terminal, the second switch is switched to connect the output electrode and the other end of the feedback path, and then the input The burst wave signal is input from a terminal to the input electrode, and the first switch is switched to connect the input electrode and one end of the feedback path. After a predetermined time has elapsed, the second switch is switched Even if the length of the propagation path is shortened by switching, connecting the output electrode and the output terminal, and outputting an output signal to the output terminal, the surface acoustic wave is generated by the surface acoustic wave element and the feedback path. , And the propagation path length necessary for measuring the physical characteristics of the object to be measured can be obtained. Furthermore, by providing an amplifier in the feedback path, the physical characteristics can be measured with high accuracy even if the device under test has a large attenuation in the propagation path loaded with the device under test.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a configuration of a device property measuring apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 2A to 2C are a surface acoustic wave that circulates between a surface acoustic wave element 14 and a feedback path 22, and FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the relationship with switching of the 1st switch 24 and the 2nd switch 26. FIG.

  The device characteristic measuring apparatus 10 includes a surface acoustic wave element 14, an oscillator 16 that generates a high-frequency burst wave signal, an elastic wave detector 18, a physical quantity calculator 20 that calculates a physical quantity of the device under test 40, and an elastic property. A feedback path 22 that feeds back an output signal from the surface acoustic wave element 14 to the input electrode 30 of the surface acoustic wave element 14, and a connection between the input electrode 30 of the surface acoustic wave element 14 and the oscillator 16 or the feedback path 22. A first switch 24 for switching, a second switch 26 for switching the connection between the output electrode 32 of the surface acoustic wave element 14 and the connection to the acoustic wave detector 18 or the feedback path 22; the first switch 24; And a switching controller 28 that controls switching of the two switch 26.

  The surface acoustic wave element 14 includes an input electrode 30 and an output electrode 32, and a short-circuit propagation path 34 is formed between the input electrode 30 and the output electrode 32. The input electrode 30 is composed of a comb-shaped electrode for exciting the surface acoustic wave based on the burst wave signal output from the oscillator 16, and the output electrode 32 receives the surface acoustic wave excited and propagated from the input electrode 30. In order to do this, it is composed of comb electrodes.

  The acoustic wave detector 18 measures the amplitude ratio, phase difference, etc. between the burst wave signal output from the oscillator 16 and the output signal corresponding to the surface acoustic wave, and the burst wave signal is input from the input electrode 30. The elapsed time from the output electrode 32 to the output to the elastic wave detector 18 is measured.

  The first switch 24 switches the connection between the input electrode 30 and one terminal (one end) 46 of the feedback path 22 and the connection between the input electrode 30 and the input terminal 42 provided in the surface acoustic wave element 14. The second switch 26 switches the connection between the output electrode 32 and the other terminal (other end) 48 of the feedback path 22 and the connection with the output terminal 44 provided in the acoustic wave detector 18.

  The switching controller 28 switches the first switch 24 and the second switch 26 to supply the burst wave signal from the oscillator 16 to the input electrode 30 and circulate the surface acoustic wave in the surface acoustic wave element 14 and the feedback path 22. The output to the feedback path 22 and the output from the output electrode 32 to the elastic wave detector 18 are controlled. An elastic wave detector 18 is connected to the switching controller 28, and a burst wave signal is output from the oscillator 16 and simultaneously, a switching start signal from the elastic wave detector 18 is output to the switching controller 28. The time for which the surface acoustic wave is circulated in the circulation path 50 formed by the surface acoustic wave element 14 and the feedback path 22 is determined as a predetermined time in relation to the propagation path length of the short-circuit propagation path 34. The measurement of the predetermined time may be an elapsed time from when the switching start signal is received from the elastic wave detector 18. Alternatively, the propagation time of the surface acoustic wave propagating through the short-circuit propagation path 34 and the length of the circulation path 50 may be obtained in advance, and the predetermined time may be calculated by measuring the circulation number of the surface acoustic wave. Furthermore, the propagation speed of the surface acoustic wave is obtained in a state where the reference object 40 is loaded on the short-circuit propagation path 34, and the predetermined time is calculated as the product of this propagation speed and the circulation number of the circulation path 50. Good.

  The short-circuit propagation path 34 is formed of a metal film 38 deposited on the piezoelectric substrate 36, and the metal film 38 is a short-circuit propagation path that is electrically short-circuited. Although the material of the metal film 38 is not particularly limited, it is preferably formed of gold that is chemically stable with respect to the object to be measured 40.

The piezoelectric substrate 36 is not particularly limited as long as it can propagate a sliding surface acoustic wave, but is preferably a 36-degree Y-plate X-propagating LiTaO ₃ .

  The measurement of the physical characteristics of the measurement object 40 by the measurement object characteristic measuring apparatus 10 is performed as follows.

  First, after the DUT 40 is loaded on the short-circuit propagation path 34, the burst wave signal from the oscillator 16 is output to the elastic wave detector 18, and the elastic wave detector 18 measures the amplitude and phase of the burst wave signal. The Thereafter, a burst wave signal is output from the oscillator 16 to the input electrode 30, and at the same time, a start control signal is output from the elastic wave detector 18 to the switching controller 28. When the switching controller 28 receives the start control signal from the elastic wave detector 18, the switching controller 28 switches the first switch 24 to the input terminal 42 side to connect the oscillator 16 and the input electrode 30, and connects the second switch 26 to the other. The output electrode 32 and the other terminal 48 of the feedback path 22 are connected by switching to the terminal 48 side (see FIG. 2A).

  After confirming that the burst wave signal output from the oscillator 16 has passed through the first switch 24, the switching controller 28 switches the first switch 24 from the input terminal 42 side to the one terminal 46 side, and The electrode 30 and the return path 22 are connected (see FIG. 2B).

  In the input electrode 30, a surface acoustic wave is excited based on the input signal, propagates on the short-circuit propagation path 34, and is received by the output electrode 32. Since the output electrode 32 and the feedback path 22 are connected by the second switch 26, the signal received by the output electrode 32 is output to the feedback path 22. Further, since the input electrode 30 and the feedback path 22 are connected by the first switch 24, the burst wave signal output from the oscillator 16 circulates in the circulation path 50.

  The switching controller 28 switches the second switch 26 from the other terminal 48 side to the output terminal 44 side when the predetermined time has elapsed from the reception of the start control signal received from the elastic wave detector 18, and the output electrode 32. And the elastic wave detector 18 are connected to output a signal received by the output electrode 32 to the elastic wave detector 18 (see FIG. 2C).

  The elastic wave detector 18 detects the amplitude ratio, phase difference and propagation delay difference between the burst wave signal output from the oscillator 16 and the output signal from the output electrode 32, and the detected amplitude ratio and phase difference are detected. A signal based on this is output to the physical quantity calculation unit 20, and the physical quantity calculation unit 20 determines the physical quantity of the device under test 40. This physical quantity is obtained based on the difference between the amplitude ratio and the phase difference detected when the object to be measured 40 serving as a reference is loaded in advance.

  As described above, the DUT characteristic measuring apparatus 10 includes the surface acoustic wave element 14 in which the short-circuit propagation path 34 on which the DUT 40 is loaded is formed between the input electrode 30 and the output electrode 32. A burst wave signal is input from the input terminal 42 to the input electrode 30, and the characteristics of the device under test 40 are obtained based on the output signal output from the output electrode 32 to the output terminal 44.

  The device-under-test characteristic measuring apparatus 10 includes a first switch 24 that switches between the feedback path 22 that transmits the output signal, the input electrode 30, the connection to the input terminal 42, or the connection to one terminal 46 of the feedback path 22. By having the second switch 26 for switching the connection between the output electrode 32 and the output terminal 44 or the other terminal 48 of the feedback path 22, the length of the short-circuit propagation path 34 is shortened and the conductivity is low. It can be miniaturized as a measuring device for measuring the physical characteristics of the DUT 40.

  In the DUT characteristic measuring apparatus 10, the first switch 24 is switched, the input electrode 30 and the input terminal 42 are connected, the second switch 26 is switched, and the output electrode 32 and the feedback path 22 are switched. After connecting the terminal 48, the burst wave signal is input from the input terminal 42 to the input electrode 30, and the first switch 24 is switched to connect the input electrode 30 and one terminal 46 of the feedback path 22. After the predetermined time has elapsed, the second switch 26 is switched, the output electrode 32 and the output terminal 44 are connected, and an output signal is output to the output terminal 44, thereby shortening the length of the short-circuit propagation path 34. However, it is possible to circulate the surface acoustic wave between the surface acoustic wave element 14 and the feedback path 22 and obtain the propagation path length necessary for measuring the physical characteristics of the DUT 40.

  Next, a modification of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a configuration of the device characteristic measuring apparatus 10A according to a modified example of the present embodiment. In the device characteristic measuring apparatus 10 </ b> A, an amplifier 52 is connected to the feedback path 22 with respect to the device characteristic measuring apparatus 10.

  In the device characteristic measuring apparatus 10A, by connecting the amplifier 52 to the feedback path 22, even if the surface acoustic wave corresponding to the device to be measured 40 is greatly attenuated by the short-circuit propagation path 34, the amplifier 52 is appropriately used. As a result, the phase change of the surface acoustic wave corresponding to the device under test 40 can be accurately measured, and the physical characteristics of the device under test 40 can be calculated. Further, by obtaining the amplification degree of the amplifier 52 in advance, the amplitude of the surface acoustic wave corresponding to the device under test 40 can be accurately measured, and the physical characteristics of the device under test 40 can be calculated.

  In the above-described embodiment, the short-circuit propagation path 34 of the DUT characteristic measurement apparatuses 10 and 10A may be configured by an open propagation path or a lattice-shaped propagation path.

  The object to be measured is not particularly limited as long as it contains at least a liquid. Moreover, any of a pure liquid and a mixed liquid may be sufficient and it is especially effective when measuring the physical characteristics of alcohol, such as methanol and ethanol. Furthermore, it goes without saying that physical characteristics can be measured even in a state in which an object to be measured contains antigens, antibodies, bacteria, and the like.

  In this case, for example, when charged bacteria are included in the measurement object, the bacterial content can be measured by measuring the conductivity of the measurement object. In addition, when bacteria charged with different polarities are included, it is possible to specify the type of bacteria most contained in the measurement object by measuring the conductivity of the measurement object. Further, when bacteria are attached to the propagation path loaded with the object to be measured, the increase / decrease amount of the attached bacteria can be detected by measuring the density and viscosity of the object to be measured.

  In addition, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it is needless to say that various configurations can be adopted without departing from the gist of the present invention.

It is explanatory drawing of a structure of the to-be-measured object characteristic measuring apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. 2A to 2C are explanatory diagrams of the relationship between the surface acoustic wave element and the surface acoustic wave that circulates in the return path, and switching between the first and second switches. It is explanatory drawing of a structure of the modification of the to-be-measured object characteristic measuring apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10, 10A ... Measuring object characteristic measuring apparatus 14 ... Surface acoustic wave element 16 ... Oscillator 18 ... Elastic wave detector 20 ... Physical quantity calculation part 22 ... Feedback path 24 ... 1st switch 26 ... 2nd switch 28 ... Switching control Instrument 30 ... Input electrode 32 ... Output electrode 34 ... Short-circuit propagation path 36 ... Piezoelectric substrate 38 ... Metal film 40 ... Measurement object 42 ... Input terminal 44 ... Output terminal 46 ... One terminal 48 ... Other terminal 50 ... Circuit path 52 ... Amplifier

Claims (3)

Provided with a surface acoustic wave element in which a propagation path is loaded between the input and output electrodes, and a burst wave signal is input from the input terminal to the input electrode and output from the output electrode to the output terminal A device property measuring apparatus for determining a property of the device to be measured based on a signal,
A feedback path for returning the output signal to the input electrode;
A first switch for switching connection between the input electrode and the input terminal or one end of the feedback path;
A second switch for switching the connection between the output electrode and the output terminal or the other end of the feedback path;
A device for measuring characteristics of an object to be measured. In the to-be-measured object characteristic measuring device according to claim 1,
Switching the first switch to connect the input electrode and the input terminal;
After switching the second switch and connecting the output electrode and the other end of the feedback path, the burst wave signal is input from the input terminal to the input electrode,
Further, the first switch is switched to connect the input electrode and one end of the feedback path,
After the elapse of a predetermined time, the second switch is switched, the output electrode and the output terminal are connected, and an output signal is output to the output terminal. In the to-be-measured object characteristic measuring apparatus of Claim 1 or 2,
An object characteristic measuring apparatus to be measured, wherein an amplifier is connected to the feedback path.

Images