Comparative analysis of nanomechanical resonators: sensitivity, response time, and practical considerations in photothermal sensing
Abstract Nanomechanical photothermal sensing has significantly advanced single-molecule/particle microscopy and spectroscopy, and infrared detection. In this approach, the nanomechanical resonator detects shifts in resonant frequency due to photothermal heating. However, the relationship between pho...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nature Publishing Group
2025-02-01
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| Series: | Microsystems & Nanoengineering |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41378-025-00879-6 |
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| author | Kostas Kanellopulos Friedrich Ladinig Stefan Emminger Paolo Martini Robert G. West Silvan Schmid |
| author_facet | Kostas Kanellopulos Friedrich Ladinig Stefan Emminger Paolo Martini Robert G. West Silvan Schmid |
| author_sort | Kostas Kanellopulos |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Nanomechanical photothermal sensing has significantly advanced single-molecule/particle microscopy and spectroscopy, and infrared detection. In this approach, the nanomechanical resonator detects shifts in resonant frequency due to photothermal heating. However, the relationship between photothermal sensitivity, response time, and resonator design has not been fully explored. This paper compares three resonator types - strings, drumheads, and trampolines - to explore this relationship. Through theoretical modeling, experimental validation, and finite element method simulations, we find that strings offer the highest sensitivity (with a noise equivalent power of 280 fW/Hz1/2 for strings made of silicon nitride), while drumheads exhibit the fastest thermal response. The study reveals that photothermal sensitivity correlates with the average temperature rise and not the peak temperature. Finally, the impact of photothermal back-action is discussed, which can be a major source of frequency instability. This work clarifies the performance differences and limits among resonator designs and guides the development of advanced nanomechanical photothermal sensors, benefiting a wide range of applications. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-facd4bec5a514282aa419ebef916df1a |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2055-7434 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | Nature Publishing Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Microsystems & Nanoengineering |
| spelling | doaj-art-facd4bec5a514282aa419ebef916df1a2025-08-20T03:06:00ZengNature Publishing GroupMicrosystems & Nanoengineering2055-74342025-02-0111111710.1038/s41378-025-00879-6Comparative analysis of nanomechanical resonators: sensitivity, response time, and practical considerations in photothermal sensingKostas Kanellopulos0Friedrich Ladinig1Stefan Emminger2Paolo Martini3Robert G. West4Silvan Schmid5Institute of Sensor and Actuator Systems, TU WienInstitute of Sensor and Actuator Systems, TU WienInstitute of Sensor and Actuator Systems, TU WienInstitute of Sensor and Actuator Systems, TU WienInstitute of Sensor and Actuator Systems, TU WienInstitute of Sensor and Actuator Systems, TU WienAbstract Nanomechanical photothermal sensing has significantly advanced single-molecule/particle microscopy and spectroscopy, and infrared detection. In this approach, the nanomechanical resonator detects shifts in resonant frequency due to photothermal heating. However, the relationship between photothermal sensitivity, response time, and resonator design has not been fully explored. This paper compares three resonator types - strings, drumheads, and trampolines - to explore this relationship. Through theoretical modeling, experimental validation, and finite element method simulations, we find that strings offer the highest sensitivity (with a noise equivalent power of 280 fW/Hz1/2 for strings made of silicon nitride), while drumheads exhibit the fastest thermal response. The study reveals that photothermal sensitivity correlates with the average temperature rise and not the peak temperature. Finally, the impact of photothermal back-action is discussed, which can be a major source of frequency instability. This work clarifies the performance differences and limits among resonator designs and guides the development of advanced nanomechanical photothermal sensors, benefiting a wide range of applications.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41378-025-00879-6 |
| spellingShingle | Kostas Kanellopulos Friedrich Ladinig Stefan Emminger Paolo Martini Robert G. West Silvan Schmid Comparative analysis of nanomechanical resonators: sensitivity, response time, and practical considerations in photothermal sensing Microsystems & Nanoengineering |
| title | Comparative analysis of nanomechanical resonators: sensitivity, response time, and practical considerations in photothermal sensing |
| title_full | Comparative analysis of nanomechanical resonators: sensitivity, response time, and practical considerations in photothermal sensing |
| title_fullStr | Comparative analysis of nanomechanical resonators: sensitivity, response time, and practical considerations in photothermal sensing |
| title_full_unstemmed | Comparative analysis of nanomechanical resonators: sensitivity, response time, and practical considerations in photothermal sensing |
| title_short | Comparative analysis of nanomechanical resonators: sensitivity, response time, and practical considerations in photothermal sensing |
| title_sort | comparative analysis of nanomechanical resonators sensitivity response time and practical considerations in photothermal sensing |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41378-025-00879-6 |
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