Nanobeams

Nanobeams are nano-scale beam-like structures used in nanoscale devices. Their cross-sectional dimensions are typically tens of nanometers, with lengths ranging from hundreds of nanometers to several micrometers. They can function as mechanical resonators, sensors, or interconnects depending on material and geometry.

They can be made from silicon, silicon carbide, gallium nitride, carbon nanotubes, graphene, or other two-dimensional materials. Fabrication methods include top-down lithography and etching to define beams in substrates, as well as bottom-up synthesis of nanowires and nanotubes that act as beams.

Nanobeams often exhibit high stiffness and low mass, yielding high resonant frequencies and favorable strength-to-weight ratios. At nanoscale dimensions, surface effects and size-dependent properties become significant, requiring nonlocal or surface elasticity models in addition to classical beam theory.

Applications include nanoelectromechanical system resonators and sensors for mass, force, or chemical detection, nano-optomechanical devices, and mechanical interconnects in integrated nanosystems.

Challenges include fabrication reproducibility, surface roughness, damping and quality factors, environmental sensitivity, and integration with electronics. Ongoing research combines experimental characterization with multiscale modeling to better predict behavior and enable reliable devices.