Dynamics of a nano-scale rotor driven by single-electron tunneling

Abstract

We investigate theoretically the dynamics and the charge transport properties of a rod-shaped nano-scale rotor, which is driven by a similar mechanism as the nanomechanical single-electron transistor (NEMSET). We show that a static electric potential gradient can lead to self-excitation of oscillatory or continuous rotational motion. The relevant parameters of the device are identified and the dependence of the dynamics on these parameters is studied. We further discuss how the dynamics is related to the measured current through the device. Notably, in the oscillatory regime, we find a negative differential conductance. The current-voltage characteristics can be used to infer details of the surrounding environment which is responsible for damping.

References in corpus (9)

• Laser cooling of a nanomechanical oscillator into its quantum ground state
• Sideband Cooling Micromechanical Motion to the Quantum Ground State
• Mechanical systems in the quantum regime
• Microscopic derivation of rate equations for quantum transport
• Shuttle Mechanism for Charge Transfer in Coulomb Blockade Nanostructures
• Shuttle Instability in Self-Assembled Coulomb Blockade Nanostructures
• Giving electrons a ride: nanomechanical electron shuttles
• Quantum gears: a simple mechanical system in the quantum regime
• Proton transport and torque generation in rotary biomotors

Cited by in corpus (11)

• Stochastic thermodynamics of self-oscillations: the electron shuttle
• Quantum shape effects and novel thermodynamic behaviors at nanoscale
• Real-time diagrammatic approach to current-induced forces: Application to quantum-dot based nanomotors
• Decoherence in current induced forces: Application to adiabatic quantum motors
• Mechanical transmission of rotational motion between molecular-scale gears
• Proposal of a realistic stochastic rotor engine based on electron shuttling
• Rotational directionality via symmetry-breaking in an electrostatic motor
• Surface phonon induced rotational dissipation for nanoscale solid-state gears
• A dynamical model for Brownian molecular motors driven by inelastic electron tunneling
• Nanoelectromechanical rotary current rectifier
• Quantum Shape Effects