Foundations of Nanomechanics

This text provides an introduction, at the level of an advanced student in engineering or physics, to the field of nanomechanics and nanomechanical devices. It provides a unified discussion of solid mechanics, transducer applications, and sources of noise and nonlinearity in such devices. Demonstrated applications of these devices, as well as an introduction to fabrication techniques, are also discussed. The text concludes with an overview of future technologies, including the potential use of carbon nanotubes and other molecular assemblies.This text provides an introduction, at the level of an advanced student in engineering or physics, to the field of nanomechanics and nanomechanical devices. It provides a unified discussion of solid mechanics, with notation consistent with modern convention. A discussion of electrical transducer applications is included, covering such topics as piezoresistance and piezoelecticity. The text includes a discussion of fundamental and spurious sources of noise, and how these sources affect both the amplitude and phase of a mechanical resonator. A brief discussion of nonlinearity in mechanical systems is given. Demonstrated applications of these devices, as well as an introduction to fabrication techniques, are also discussed; a primer on optical as well as electron beam lithography is given in two concise chapters. The text concludes with an overview of potential future technologies, including a discussion of carbon nanotubes and other molecular assemblies.