Tunable nanoresonators constructed from telescoping nanotubes.

We have created a tunable mechanical nanoscale resonator with potential applications in precise mass, force, position, and frequency measurement. The device consists of a specially prepared multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWNT) suspended between a metal electrode and a mobile, piezo-controlled contact. By exploiting the unique telescoping ability of MWNTs, we controllably slide an inner nanotube core from its outer nanotube casing, effectively changing its length and tuning its flexural resonance frequency.

[1]  Quanshui Zheng,et al.  Multiwalled carbon nanotubes as gigahertz oscillators. , 2002, Physical review letters.

[2]  R. V. b. Southwell,et al.  An introduction to the theory of elasticity for engineers and physicists , 1936 .

[3]  Zettl,et al.  Low-friction nanoscale linear bearing realized from multiwall carbon nanotubes , 2000, Science.

[4]  B. Chui,et al.  Single spin detection by magnetic resonance force microscopy , 2004, Nature.

[5]  J. Shea,et al.  Sliding Friction-Physical Principles and Applications , 1998, IEEE Electrical Insulation Magazine.

[6]  Michael L. Roukes,et al.  Intrinsic dissipation in high-frequency micromechanical resonators , 2002 .

[7]  P. McEuen,et al.  A tunable carbon nanotube electromechanical oscillator , 2004, Nature.

[8]  M. Roukes,et al.  Fabrication of high frequency nanometer scale mechanical resonators from bulk Si crystals , 1996 .

[9]  A. M. Fennimore,et al.  Rotational actuators based on carbon nanotubes , 2003, Nature.

[10]  Andrew G. Glen,et al.  APPL , 2001 .

[11]  Philip G. Collins,et al.  Materials: Peeling and sharpening multiwall nanotubes , 2000, Nature.

[12]  H. Craighead,et al.  Mechanical resonant immunospecific biological detector , 2000 .

[13]  C. Journet,et al.  Tuning of nanotube mechanical resonances by electric field pulling. , 2002, Physical review letters.

[14]  Andrew Cleland,et al.  External control of dissipation in a nanometer-scale radiofrequency mechanical resonator , 1999 .

[15]  R. Onofrio,et al.  Measurement of the Casimir force between parallel metallic surfaces. , 2002, Physical review letters.

[16]  Joselito M. Razal,et al.  Super-tough carbon-nanotube fibres , 2003, Nature.

[17]  B. Camarota,et al.  Approaching the Quantum Limit of a Nanomechanical Resonator , 2004, Science.

[18]  T. Kenny,et al.  Quality factors in micron- and submicron-thick cantilevers , 2000, Journal of Microelectromechanical Systems.

[19]  Chunyu Li,et al.  Mass detection using carbon nanotube-based nanomechanical resonators , 2004 .

[20]  A. Zettl,et al.  Localization and nonlinear resistance in telescopically extended nanotubes. , 2004, Physical review letters.

[21]  R. Stephenson.  A and V , 1962, The British journal of ophthalmology.

[22]  W. D. Heer,et al.  Electrostatic deflections and electromechanical resonances of carbon nanotubes , 1999, Science.