We present a new design of a mass sensor capable of detecting mass values in the zeptogram range. The sensor comprises a resonant beam and two gate electrodes used to oscillate the beam at its resonance frequency. The detection method is based on the tunnelling current between the vibrating beam and the gate electrodes. When a small mass is added to the beam, the latter sees a shift in its resonant frequency. The added mass thus leads to a decrease in the oscillation's amplitude and hence a drop in the tunnelling current.
Title
An ultrasensitive vibrating channel mass sensor based on tunnelling current detection
Published in
Advanced Research In Physics And Engineering
Series
Mathematics and Computers in Science and Engineering
Pages
97-102
Conference
2nd WSEAS International Conference on Nanotechnology/5th WSEAS International Conference on Optics Astrophysics-Astronomy /1st WSEAS International Conference Plasma, Fusion, Nuclear Physics, Cambridge, ENGLAND, Feb 20-22, 2010
Date
2010
Publisher
World Scientific And Engineering Acad And Soc, Ag Loannou Theologou 17-23, 15773 Zographou, Athens, Greece
ISBN
978-960-474-163-2
Record creation date
2011-12-16