The dynamics of an externally driven nanoscale beam that is under high tension and immersed in a viscous fluid

We explore the dynamics of a nanoscale doubly clamped beam that is under high tension, immersed in a viscous fluid, and driven externally by a spatially varying drive force. We develop a theoretical description that is valid for all possible values of tension, includes the motion of the higher modes of the beam, and accounts for a harmonic force that is applied over a limited spatial region of the beam near its ends. We compare our theoretical predictions with experimental measurements for a nanoscale beam that is driven electrothermally and immersed in air and water. The theoretical predictions show good agreement with experiments, and the validity of a simplified string approximation is demonstrated.

Automated summary

We investigate the dynamics of a nanoscale doubly clamped beam that is under high tension, immersed in a viscous fluid, and driven externally by a spatially varying drive force. A theoretical description is developed and compared with experimental measurements for electrothermally driven nanoscale beams in air and water. The results show good agreement between theory and experiment, confirming the validity of a simplified string approximation.