Laser Response of a Quartz Crystal Microbalance: Frequency Changes Induced by Light Irradiation in the Air Phase

A weak laser irradiation (523 - 785 nm, 5 - 60 mW) onto an Au electrode surface of a 27-MHz quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) caused a frequency increase (a mass decrease) in the air phase. These frequency changes depended on the wavelength of the irradiated laser in the order of 523 nm > 636 nm > 785 nm, which corresponds to the light absorbance of the Au electrode of the QCM. The laser response increased linearly with increasing laser power (5 - 60 mW). In addition, the laser response showed a maximum at the incidence angle of 72 degrees when the P-polarized 636 nm laser was irradiated on the Au surface, due to the evanescent effect. These laser responses were also observed in the humid air of H2O, D2O, and in the vapors of various alcohols. Based on these findings, the observed frequency increase (mass decrease) can be explained by the photo-induced reversible desorption of water molecules from the Au electrode surface of the QCM due to the interfacial property changes.