Electron Shuttle Instability for Nano Electromechanical Mass Sensing

Abstract

We discuss the potential use of the electromechanical shuttle instability in suspended nanostructures (e.g., nanotubes or nanowires) for nanomechanical sensing. The tunneling-assisted (shuttle-like) electron transport mechanism is addressed from a mechanical and electromechanical point of view, showing strong dependencies on the fundamental frequency, the mechanical restoring and damping force, and the electromechanical charging of the suspended nanostructure. We propose to use these nonlinear dependencies to sense minute mass (and tension) changes. Therefore, we introduce a conceptual sensing device and investigate its operation in the frame of a simple model system. Finally, we discuss different measurement techniques and report on high sensitivities (e.g., 1 nA/zeptogram (zg), or 1 mV/zg depending on the measurement technique) and potential resolutions in the range of 10 zg (10(-23) kg).

Subnanogram Mass Measurements on Plasmonic Nanoparticles for Temperature-Programmed Thermal Analysis

“…A microfabricated cantilever operating in dynamic mode can detect as little as 8 ng by reducing the size of vibrating elements . One-dimensional nanomaterials such as nanotubes and nanowires have been proposed as the beams for the dynamic mass measurements. − Owing to the small mass of a single nanotube or nanowire, the frequency shift upon loading of material will be significant, meaning that the detection sensitivity could be very high to reach single-molecule level. However, the mass readout from a single nanotube/wire is challenging and requires sophisticated techniques such as electron microscopy − and thus cannot be widely deployed as a practical means for mass measurements.…”

Piezoresponse force microscopy on doubly clamped KNbO3 nanowires

“…In contrast to conventional nanowire or nanotube resonators, 10-12 pNWs enable alternative piezoelectric detection schemes, bypassing major challenges in the readout of state-of-the-art nanomechanical resonator devices. 4,13 Here, we present pNW devices, consisting of individual doubly clamped potassium niobate ͑KNbO 3 , in short KN͒ nanowires 14 on SiO 2 , allowing to study the domain formation and the piezoelectric response to lateral electrical fields induced by electrodes used to clamp the pNWs. For characterization, we perform piezoresponse force microscopy ͑PFM͒ measurements, which has been shown to be a powerful technique to study nanoscale piezoelectricity.…”