Highly sensitive mass detection and identification using vibration localization in coupled microcantilever arrays

We study the use of vibration localization in large arrays of mechanically coupled, nearly identical microcantilevers for ultrasensitive mass detection and identification. We demonstrate that eigenmode changes in such an array can be two to three orders of magnitude greater than relative changes in resonance frequencies when an analyte mass is added. Moreover, the changes in eigenmodes are unique to the cantilever to which mass is added, thereby providing a characteristic fingerprint that identifies the particular cantilever where mass has been added. This opens the door to ultrasensitive detection and identification of multiple analytes with a single coupled array. (c) 2008 American Institute of Physics.