APPLICATIONS OF TECHNOLOGY:
- Electronics, as a filter and an amplifier
- Wireless communications, as a low-power RF receiver and transmitter
- Optics, as a highly sensitive RF photon detector
- Thermometry
- Fundamental scientific research, as a NEMS device
ADVANTAGES:
- Exhibits infinite gain at pumping voltages under 10V
- Low overhead power consumption (10 – 1,000 nW)
- Tunable
- Highly sensitive detector of RF radiation
ABSTRACT:
A research team led by Berkeley Lab’s Alex Zettl has developed a nanoscale electro-mechanical amplifier that can be used for enhanced radio wave detection and electronic signal amplification.
Operating this carbon nanotube-based NEMS parametric amplifier in the limit of strong coupling between mechanical vibrations and field emission tunneling current yields a phase-sensitive, variable gain, band-pass-filtering amplifier for electronic signal processing. At the same time, it can operate as a variable-sensitivity, tunable detector and transducer of RF electromagnetic waves.
For more detailed information, see the researchers’ publication, below.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
DEVELOPMENT STAGE: Testing conducted on a bench scale prototype of the device.
STATUS: Issued U. S. Patent #9,450,550. Available for license or collaborative research.
SEE THESE OTHER BERKELEY LAB TECHNOLOGIES IN THIS FIELD:
Nanotube Radio for Communications and Medical Applications, IB-2431
REFERENCE NUMBER: IB-3069
