title: Sustained mechanical self-oscillations in carbon nanotubes.
abstract: The potential size and power benefits of resonant NEMS devices are frequently mitigated by the need for relatively large, high-frequency, high-power electronics. Here we demonstrate controllable, sustained self-oscillations in singly clamped carbon nanotubes operating with a single dc voltage supply, and we develop a model that predicts the required voltage on the basis of the material properties and device geometry. Using this model, we demonstrate for the first time top-down, self-oscillating NEMS devices suitable for large-scale integration.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics and Center of Integrated Nanomechanical Systems, University of California at Berkeley, and Materials Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, USA.
authors.forename: Jeffrey A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Weldon
authors.forename: Benjamin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Alemán
authors.forename: Allen
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sussman
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Gannett
authors.forename: Alex K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Zettl
mesh_terms: D003198:Computer Simulation; D055119:Elastic Modulus; D008422:Materials Testing; D055617:Micro-Electrical-Mechanical Systems / Q000379:methods*; D008956:Models, Chemical; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods*; D043942:Nanotubes / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009991:Oscillometry / Q000379:methods*; D010316:Particle Size; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D014732:Vibration