Self-oscillations in field emission nanowire mechanical resonators: a nanometric DC-AC conversion

TL;DR

This paper reports the discovery of self-oscillations in nanoelectromechanical systems driven by field emission, demonstrating a significant DC-AC conversion and opening new avenues for high-speed nanoresonator applications.

Contribution

It introduces the first observation and modeling of self-oscillations in NEMS due to field emission, enabling integrated nano-device development.

Findings

Achieved approximately 50% DC/AC conversion efficiency.

Observed electrical self-oscillations in NEMS during field emission.

Developed an electromechanical model explaining the phenomenon.

Abstract

We report the observation of self-oscillations in a bottom-up nanoelectromechanical system (NEMS) during field emission driven by a constant applied voltage. An electromechanical model is explored that explains the phenomenon and that can be directly used to develop integrated devices. In this first study we have already achieved ~50% DC/AC (direct to alternative current) conversion. Electrical self-oscillations in NEMS open up a new path for the development of high speed, autonomous nanoresonators, and signal generators and show that field emission (FE) is a powerful tool for building new nano-components.