Single-Molecule Torsional Pendulum
Jannik C. Meyer,1*
Matthieu Paillet,2
Siegmar Roth1
We have built a torsional pendulum based on an individual single-walled
carbon nanotube, which is used as a torsional spring and mechanical
support for the moving part. The moving part can be rotated
by an electric field, resulting in large but fully elastic torsional
deformations of the nanotube. As a result of the extremely small
restoring force associated with the torsional deformation of
a single molecule, unusually large oscillations are excited
by the thermal energy of the pendulum. By diffraction analysis,
we are able to determine the handedness of the molecule in our
device. Mechanical devices with molecular-scale components are
potential building blocks for nanoelectromechanical systems
and may also serve as sensors or actuators.
2 Laboratoire des Colloïdes, Verres et Nanomatériaux, Université de Montpellier II, 34095 Montpellier, France.
* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: j.meyer{at}fkf.mpg.de
