Advanced techniques for resonance frequency monitoring in nanomechanical sensing : Integrative approaches and applications

Abstract

This dissertation explores advanced techniques for resonance frequency monitoring in nanomechanical sensing, with a focus on integrative approaches and their applications. The research presents a comprehensive study on various frequency tracking schemes for NEMS (nanoelectromechanical systems) resonators, comparing open-loop and closed-loop methods.The findings demonstrate that all tracking schemes can achieve comparable performance in terms of accuracy and speed, suggesting that the performance limits are intrinsic to the NEMS resonator itself. This allows the choice of tracking scheme to be based on practical considerations such as cost and ease of implementation. Additionally, an adaptable frequency counter architecture is also developed, offering enhanced usability for frequency monitoring tasks within the NEMS community. Further contributions include the development of a thermal model for NEMS infrared spectroscopy, accurately capturing the transient response of NEMS to infrared light absorption. This model accounts for both the intrinsic response of the resonator and the frame-induced response. The introduction of an adaptable Kalman filter, integrating the NEMS response model with inherent noise profiles, enables faster and more precise measurements through optimal adaptive filtering.These advancements contribute to the field of nano mechanical sensing, providing newtools and methodologies for more accurate and efficient monitoring of resonance frequencies in NEMS devices.