We report a method for probing electromechanical properties of multiwalled carbon nanotubes(CNTs). This method is based on AFM 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 NEMS.
@article{arxiv.cond-mat/0510382,
title = {Scaling Law in Carbon Nanotube Electromechanical Devices},
author = {R. Lefevre and M. F. Goffman and V. Derycke and C. Miko and L. Forro and J. P. Bourgoin and P. Hesto},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:cond-mat/0510382},
year = {2009}
}
Comments
12 pages, 4 figures. To be published in Phys. Rev. Lett