Exploring Photoacoustic Vibration of Quartz for Constructing a Versatile Photoacoustic Sensor

The conventional photoacoustic effect is based on the photothermal mechanism in semiconductors, where light absorption is converted to heat within photoacoustic materials. In this study, we introduce a novel, heat-independent phototriggered vibration on a quartz plate under a broad spectrum of light irradiation. Through a series of experiments, we elucidate the underlying mechanism and demonstrate its potential as an innovative photodetector and photoacoustic sensor. This approach enables applications in small-molecule self-assembly, DNA hybridization, and protein interactions, offering superior sensitivity and accuracy. These findings highlight the promise of this unconventional photoacoustic effect for the development of highly sensitive biosensors.