Phys.org April 9, 2018
Researchers at NIST have created a plasmomechanical oscillator (PMO) that tightly couples plasmons to the mechanical vibrations of the much larger device in which it is embedded. The device consists of a gold nanoparticle, about 100 nanometers in diameter, embedded in a tiny cantilever made of silicon nitride. An air gap lies sandwiched between these components and an underlying gold plate; the width of the gap is controlled by an electrostatic actuator and bends toward the plate when a voltage is applied. The nanoparticle acts as a single plasmonic structure that has a natural frequency that varies with the size of the gap. The device offers new ways to miniaturize mechanical oscillators, improve communication systems, dramatically amplify extremely weak mechanical and electrical signals and create sensitive sensors for the tiny motions of nanoparticles… read more. Open Access TECHNICAL ARTICLEÂ
Schematic of the first-ever plasmomechanical oscillator (PMO), developed by NIST researchers. Credit: B. Roxworthy/NIST