Reaching silicon-based NEMS performances with 3D printed nanomechanical resonators

Stefano Stassi*, Ido Cooperstein, Mauro Tortello, Candido Fabrizio Pirri, Shlomo Magdassi*, Carlo Ricciardi

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

30 Scopus citations

Abstract

The extreme miniaturization in NEMS resonators offers the possibility to reach an unprecedented resolution in high-performance mass sensing. These very low limits of detection are related to the combination of two factors: a small resonator mass and a high quality factor. The main drawback of NEMS is represented by the highly complex, multi-steps, and expensive fabrication processes. Several alternatives fabrication processes have been exploited, but they are still limited to MEMS range and very low-quality factor. Here we report the fabrication of rigid NEMS resonators with high-quality factors by a 3D printing approach. After a thermal step, we reach complex geometry printed devices composed of ceramic structures with high Young’s modulus and low damping showing performances in line with silicon-based NEMS resonators ones. We demonstrate the possibility of rapid fabrication of NEMS devices that present an effective alternative to semiconducting resonators as highly sensitive mass and force sensors.

Original languageEnglish
Article number6080
JournalNature Communications
Volume12
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Dec 2021

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2021, The Author(s).

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