Non-Equilibrium and Quantum Coherent Phenomena in the Electromechanics of Suspended Nanowires

TL;DR

This paper reviews the strong coupling phenomena between electronic and mechanical aspects in suspended nanowire nanoelectromechanical systems, emphasizing non-equilibrium dynamics and quantum coherence effects in both normal and superconducting structures.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of non-equilibrium and quantum coherent phenomena in nanoelectromechanical devices with suspended nanowires, highlighting new insights into charge-mechanics interactions.

Findings

Strong coupling enables electrical-to-mechanical transduction.

Quantum coherence affects device dynamics.

Non-equilibrium conditions lead to mesoscopic phenomena.

Abstract

Strong coupling between electronic and mechanical degrees of freedom is a basic requirement for the operation of any nanoelectromechanical device. In this Review we consider such devices and in particular investigate the properties of small tunnel-junction nanostructures that contain a movable element in the form of a suspended nanowire. In these systems, electrical current and charge can be concentrated to small spatial volumes resulting in strong coupling between the mechanics and the charge transport. As a result, a variety of mesoscopic phenomena appear, which can be used for the transduction of electrical currents into mechanical operation. Here we will in particular consider nanoelectromechanical dynamics far from equilibrium and the effect of quantum coherence in both the electronic and mechanical degrees of freedom in the context of both normal and superconducting nanostructures.