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A universal and ultrasensitive vectorial nanomechanical sensor for imaging 2D force fields

Nature Nanotechnology volume 12, pages 156–162 (2017)Cite this article

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Abstract

The miniaturization of force probes into nanomechanical oscillators enables ultrasensitive investigations of forces on dimensions smaller than their characteristic length scales. It also unravels the vectorial character of the force field and how its topology impacts the measurement. Here we present an ultrasensitive method for imaging two-dimensional vectorial force fields by optomechanically following the bidimensional Brownian motion of a singly clamped nanowire. This approach relies on angular and spectral tomography of its quasi-frequency-degenerated transverse mechanical polarizations: immersing the nanoresonator in a vectorial force field not only shifts its eigenfrequencies but also rotates the orientation of the eigenmodes, as a nanocompass. This universal method is employed to map a tunable electrostatic force field whose spatial gradients can even dominate the intrinsic nanowire properties. Enabling vectorial force field imaging with demonstrated sensitivities of attonewton variations over the nanoprobe Brownian trajectory will have a strong impact on scientific exploration at the nanoscale.

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Figure 1: 2D optomechanical readout.
Figure 2: Measurement principle of 2D force field gradients.
Figure 3: Mapping electrostatic force field gradients.
Figure 4: Scanning probe measurements of electrostatic force field gradients.

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Acknowledgements

We thank the PNEC group at ILM, A. Gloppe, B. Canals, J. Chevrier, S. Reynaud, A. Lambrecht, R. Guérout, J.P. Poizat, G. Bachelier, J. Jarreau, C. Hoarau, E. Eyraud and D. Lepoittevin for theoretical, experimental and technical assistance. This project is supported by the ANR (FOCUS-13-BS10-0012), the ERC Starting Grant StG-2012-HQ-NOM and Lanef (CryOptics).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University Grenoble Alpes, Institut Néel, Grenoble, F-38000, France

    Laure Mercier de Lépinay, Benjamin Pigeau, Benjamin Besga & Olivier Arcizet

  2. CNRS, Institut Néel, Grenoble, F-38000, France

    Laure Mercier de Lépinay, Benjamin Pigeau, Benjamin Besga & Olivier Arcizet

  3. University Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, Institut Lumière Matière, Villeurbanne, F-69622, France

    Pascal Vincent & Philippe Poncharal

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  1. Laure Mercier de Lépinay
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Correspondence to Olivier Arcizet.

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de Lépinay, L., Pigeau, B., Besga, B. et al. A universal and ultrasensitive vectorial nanomechanical sensor for imaging 2D force fields. Nature Nanotech 12, 156–162 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1038/nnano.2016.193

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