Polymer‐free, low tension graphene mechanical resonators

Abstract

Abstract Graphene resonators are fabricated using a polymer‐free, direct transfer method onto metal reinforced holey carbon grids. The resonators are distinguished by the absence of organic residues and excellent crystallinity. The normal mode frequencies are measured using a Fabry–Perot technique; resonance curves indicate highly linear behaviour but very little built‐in strain, which is consistent with device geometry examined by atomic force microscopy. We conclude that the oscillators' restoring force is due instead to graphene's intrinsic bending rigidity; our measurements indicate a value of approximately 1.0 eV, consistent with previous theoretical and experimental work. (© 2013 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)