Accessing nanomechanical resonators via a fast microwave circuit

We demonstrate how to fully electrically detect the vibrations of conductive nanomechanical resonators up to the microwave regime. We use the electrically actuated vibrations to modulate an LC tank circuit, which blocks the stray capacitance and detect the created sideband voltage by a microwave analyzer. We prove the technique up to mechanical frequencies of 200 MHz. Finally, we estimate how one could approach the quantum limit of mechanical systems. (C) 2009 American Institute of Physics. [DOI: 10.1063/1.3173826]