title: Scaling law in carbon nanotube electromechanical devices.
abstract: We report a method for probing electromechanical properties of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (CNTs). This method is based on atomic force microscopy measurements on a doubly clamped suspended CNT electrostatically deflected by a gate electrode. We measure the maximum deflection as a function of the applied gate voltage. Data from different CNTs scale into an universal curve within the experimental accuracy, in agreement with a continuum model prediction. This method and the general validity of the scaling law constitute a very useful tool for designing actuators and in general conducting nanowire-based nanoelectromechanical systems.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire d'Electronique Moléculaire, CEA-DSM SPEC, CEA Saclay, 91191 Gif-sur-Yvette, France.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lefèvre
authors.forename: M F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Goffman
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Derycke
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Miko
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Forró
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Bourgoin
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hesto