VCO-based ESR-on-a-chip as a tool for low-cost, high-sensitivity food quality control

Abstract

In this paper, we discuss the use of integrated circuit (IC) technology as a tool to improve the current state-of-the-art in electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy instrumentation to render ESR a viable candidate for future generations of portable, point-of-use food quality assessment systems. To this end, in addition to a quick introduction into ESR and its potential applications in food quality control, we discuss the shortcomings of a conventional ESR spectrometer concerning its miniaturization and cost reduction capabilities and highlight how IC technology based approaches can be used to overcome these limitations. As an extension to the state-of-the-art in IC-based ESR, we present an analytical model and experimental results for VCO-based rapid scan ESR experiments, which can be used to improve the achievable sensitivity in inductively detected ESR.