Nanoelectromechanics using graphene

Abstract

The large in-plane modulus of rigidity and low mass density of one-atom-thick graphene makes it an exciting material for studying mechanics at nanoscale. Further, the remarkable electronic properties of graphene give an additional edge to explore the small coupling between electronic and mechanical degrees of freedom. Ballistic transport can be reached in very clean suspended graphene samples, allowing to probe coupling between nanoscale electromechanics and quantum Hall effect. Such devices can also be used to measure intrinsic properties of graphene like coefficient of thermal expansion. In this article, we present summary of results from our group integrating these aspects of graphene. Towards the end, we briefly speculate roadmap for future experiments harnessing unique properties of graphene. Nanomechanical devices can then be used for applications as well as to explore aspects of mesoscopic physics with unprecedented detail.