Polycrystalline silicon used as conductor in integrated circuits,
and especially FETs.
Potentiometric Device
Monitors the voltage between a sensing electrode and a reference
electrode. A high input impedance voltmeter is used to minimize
current flow. The voltage typically is proportional to the
logarithm of the analyte concentration.
Power [W]
Product of voltage and current in a component; also, refers to the
field of electric energy supply.
Precision
The degree of reproducibility among several independent
measurements of the same true value under specified conditions.
Printed circuit board
PCB -- selectively metallized insulating sheet for supporting and
interconnecting circuit components.
Pyroelectricity
The property of certain crystals, such as tourmaline, of acquiring
opposite electrical charges on opposite faces when heated.
Q factor
A rating, applied to coils, capacitors, and resonant circuits,
equal to the reactance divided by the resistance. The ratio of
energy stored to energy dissipated per cycle in an electrical or
mechanical system.
Quantization
The concept that energy can occur only in discrete units called
quanta.
RAM
Random Access Memory -- read-write memory with elements accessible in
any order.
Range
The difference between the minimum and maximum values of sensor output
in the intended operating range. Defines the overall operating limits
of a sensor.
