Nanomechanical resonators can now be realized that achieve fundamental resonance frequencies exceeding 1 GHz, with quality factors (Q) in the range 1,000 - 100,000. The minuscule active masses of these devices, in conjunction with their high Qs, translate into unprecedented inertial mass sensitivities. This makes them natural candidates for a variety of mass sensing applications. Here we evaluate the ultimate mass sensitivity limits for nanomechanical resonators operating in vacuo, which are imposed by a number of fundamental physical noise processes. Our analyses indicate that nanomechanical resonators offer immense potential for mass sensing - ultimately with resolution at the level of individual molecules.
@article{arxiv.physics/0309075,
title = {Ultimate limits to inertial mass sensing based upon nanoelectromechanical systems},
author = {K. L. Ekinci and Y. T. Yang and M. L. Roukes},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:physics/0309075},
year = {2009}
}
Comments
preprint, subm. to J. Appl. Phys. - 32 pages, 6 figures, 2 tables