Carbon Nanotube Linear Bearing Nanoswitches

We exploit the remarkable low-friction bearing capabilities of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) to realize nanoelectromechanical switches. Our switches consist of two open-ended MWNT segments separated by a nanometer-scale gap. Switching occurs through electrostatically actuated sliding of the i...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Nano letters 2006-06, Vol.6 (6), p.1092-1095
Main Authors: Deshpande, V. V, Chiu, H.-Y, Postma, H. W. Ch, Mikó, C, Forró, L, Bockrath, M
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Condensed matter: structure, mechanical and thermal properties
Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science
rheology
Electrochemistry - instrumentation
Electrochemistry - methods
Electronics
Equipment Design
Equipment Failure Analysis
Exact sciences and technology
Friction
Linear Models
Materials science
Mechanical and acoustical properties
Microelectrodes
Nanoscale materials and structures: fabrication and characterization
Nanotechnology - instrumentation
Nanotechnology - methods
Nanotubes
Nanotubes, Carbon - chemistry
Nanotubes, Carbon - ultrastructure
Other topics in nanoscale materials and structures
Physical properties of thin films, nonelectronic
Physics
Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted - instrumentation
Surfaces and interfaces
thin films and whiskers (structure and nonelectronic properties)
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Summary:We exploit the remarkable low-friction bearing capabilities of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) to realize nanoelectromechanical switches. Our switches consist of two open-ended MWNT segments separated by a nanometer-scale gap. Switching occurs through electrostatically actuated sliding of the inner nanotube shells to close the gap, producing a conducting ON state. For double-walled nanotubes in particular, a gate voltage can restore the insulating OFF state. Acting as a nonvolatile memory element capable of several switching cycles, our devices are straightforward to implement, self-aligned, and do not require complex fabrication or geometries, allowing for convenient scalability.
ISSN:1530-6984
1530-6992
DOI:10.1021/nl052513f