Strong Coupling Between Single-Electron Tunneling and Nanomechanical Motion

Nanoscale resonators that oscillate at high frequencies are useful in many measurement applications. We studied a high-quality mechanical resonator made from a suspended carbon nanotube driven into motion by applying a periodic radio frequency potential using a nearby antenna. Single-electron charge...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Science (American Association for the Advancement of Science) 2009-08, Vol.325 (5944), p.1103-1107
Main Authors: Steele, G.A, Hüttel, A.K, Witkamp, B, Poot, M, Meerwaldt, H.B, Kouwenhoven, L.P, van der Zant, H.S.J
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Applied sciences
Direct current
Electric current
Electric potential
Electronics
Electrons
Exact sciences and technology
Micro- and nanoelectromechanical devices (mems/nems)
Nanotubes
Narrative devices
Quantum dots
Resonance
Resonant vibration
Resonators
Semiconductor electronics. Microelectronics. Optoelectronics. Solid state devices
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Summary:Nanoscale resonators that oscillate at high frequencies are useful in many measurement applications. We studied a high-quality mechanical resonator made from a suspended carbon nanotube driven into motion by applying a periodic radio frequency potential using a nearby antenna. Single-electron charge fluctuations created periodic modulations of the mechanical resonance frequency. A quality factor exceeding 10⁵ allows the detection of a shift in resonance frequency caused by the addition of a single-electron charge on the nanotube. Additional evidence for the strong coupling of mechanical motion and electron tunneling is provided by an energy transfer to the electrons causing mechanical damping and unusual nonlinear behavior. We also discovered that a direct current through the nanotube spontaneously drives the mechanical resonator, exerting a force that is coherent with the high-frequency resonant mechanical motion.
ISSN:0036-8075
1095-9203
DOI:10.1126/science.1176076