In-situ comprehensive calibration of a tri-port nano-electro-mechanical device

Collin, E. and Defoort, M. and Lulla, K. and Moutonet, T. and Heron, J. -S. and Bourgeois, O. and Bunkov, Yu M. and Godfrin, H. (2012) In-situ comprehensive calibration of a tri-port nano-electro-mechanical device. Review of Scientific Instruments, 83 (4): 045005. ISSN 0034-6748

Abstract

We report on experiments performed in vacuum and at cryogenic temperatures on a tri-port nano-electro-mechanical (NEMS) device. One port is a very non-linear capacitive actuation, while the two others implement the magnetomotive scheme with a linear input force port and a (quasi-linear) output velocity port. We present an experimental method enabling a full characterization of the nanomechanical device harmonic response: the non-linear capacitance function $C(x)$ is derived, and the normal parameters $k$ and $m$ (spring constant and mass) of the mode under study are measured through a careful definition of the motion (in meters) and of the applied forces (in Newtons). These results are obtained with a series of purely electric measurements performed without disconnecting/reconnecting the device, and rely only on known DC properties of the circuit, making use of a thermometric property of the oscillator itself: we use the Young modulus of the coating metal as a thermometer, and the resistivity for Joule heating. The setup requires only three connecting lines without any particular matching, enabling the preservation of a high impedance NEMS environment even at MHz frequencies. The experimental data are fit to a detailed electrical and thermal model of the NEMS device, demonstrating a complete understanding of its dynamics. These methods are quite general and can be adapted (as a whole, or in parts) to a large variety of elecromechanical devices.