A coherent nanomechanical oscillator driven by single-electron tunnelling.

ABSTRACT: A single-electron transistor embedded in a nanomechanical resonator represents an extreme limit of electron-phonon coupling. While it allows fast and sensitive electromechanical measurements, it also introduces backaction forces from electron tunnelling that randomly perturb the mechanical state. Despite the stochastic nature of this backaction, it has been predicted to create self-sustaining coherent mechanical oscillations under strong coupling conditions. Here, we verify this prediction using real-time measurements of a vibrating carbon nanotube transistor. This electromechanical oscillator has some similarities with a laser. The single-electron transistor pumped by an electrical bias acts as a gain medium and the resonator acts as a phonon cavity. Although the operating principle is un

SUBMITTER: Wen Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6949122 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature