Operation; Principle Of Ultrasonics; Description Of Major Components; Description Of Controls And - Qsonica MICROSON XL 2000 Operator's Manual

A.

Principle of Ultrasonics

The generator (power supply) converts conventional 50/60 Hz AC line power to 22.5 kHz
electrical energy which is fed to the convertor where it is transformed to mechanical
vibration. The heart of the convertor is a lead zirconate titanate electrostrictive
(piezoelectric) crystal which, when subjected to an alternating voltage, expands and
contracts. The convertor vibrates in the longitudinal direction and transmits this motion to
the MICROPROBE which is immersed in the biological or liquid process solution. Cavitation
results, in which microscopic vapor bubbles are formed momentarily and implode, causing
powerful shock waves to radiate throughout the sample from the tip face. MICROPROBES
amplify the longitudinal vibration of the convertor; higher amplification (or gain) results in
more intense cavitational action and greater disruption.
The convertor is tuned to vibrate at a fixed frequency of 22.5 kHz. MICROPROBES are
resonant bodies, also tuned to vibrate at 22.5 kHz; any change in mass or geometry can
disturb the resonant frequency and cause failure or damage to the convertor or generator.
B.

Description of Major Components

1. Generator (also known as the "power source") - includes the operating controls and
power indicator, an On/Off switch, and separable three-wire grounded line cord with
integral U.S. plug or Europlug, fuse, and high frequency cable connector.
2. Convertor (also known as the "transducer") - includes the transducer crystals,
housing, and front driver (first stage of acoustic amplification) with ¼-20 threaded hole
for the MICROPROBE.
3. MICROPROBE (also known as the "probe" or "tip") - resonant body with ¼-20 stud,
serving as a second stage of acoustic amplification.
C. Description of Operating Controls and Power Indicator
The front panel contains the Wattmeter with Digital LCD Display for monitoring power output,
the Power Control Knob, Continuous/Remote Operation Switch, Convertor Rest and On/Off
Switch. The Wattmeter measures the power (in watts) delivered to the convertor and probe,
while the Digital LCD Display provides a continuous read-out of this value. The
Continuous/Remote Operation Switch provides continuous operation or manual pulsing
(utilize the thumb switch). The Power Control Knob provides continuous adjustment of
probe intensity with gradations from 1 to 20. The Convertor Rest holds the convertor and
probe when not in use, and the On/Off Switch contains a power light indicator. The back
panel contains the line fuse and footswitch jack for use with optional plug-in timer or
On/Off Footswitch (see page 10).
O P E R A T I O N
9