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Self-organization of irregular nanoelectromechanical vibrations in multimode shuttle structures
L M Jonsson1, F Santandrea, L Y Gorelik
1Department of Applied Physics, Chalmers University of Technology, SE-412 96 Göteborg, Sweden.
Physical Review Letters
|June 4, 2008
Summary
We theoretically investigate electromechanical instabilities in nanoelectromechanical single-electron tunneling devices. We show that irregular oscillations self-organize into periodic ones, demonstrating selective excitation of global vibrations.
Area of Science:
- Physics
- Nanotechnology
- Electrical Engineering
Background:
- Nanoelectromechanical systems (NEMS) exhibit complex dynamics.
- Single-electron tunneling devices are sensitive to mechanical oscillations.
- Multimode instabilities can arise from coupled mechanical and electrical phenomena.
Purpose of the Study:
- To theoretically investigate multimode electromechanical shuttle instabilities.
- To analyze the self-organization of oscillations in biased nanoelectromechanical devices.
- To demonstrate selective excitation of global vibrations using local probes.
Main Methods:
- Theoretical investigation of electromechanical instabilities.
- Analysis of quasiperiodic oscillations in NEMS.
- Modeling of self-excitation of coupled mechanical modes.
Main Results:
- Initially irregular (quasiperiodic) oscillations were observed.
- Simultaneous self-excitation of multiple mechanical modes with incommensurable frequencies was analyzed.
- Self-organization into periodic oscillations with a specific eigenfrequency was demonstrated.
Conclusions:
- Electromechanical shuttle instabilities can lead to self-organization of oscillations.
- This phenomenon allows for selective excitation of global vibrations in extended objects.
- The findings have implications for controlling and utilizing NEMS dynamics.
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