A Three-Terminal Carbon Nanorelay

Abstract

Three-terminal nanorelay structures were fabricated with multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWNTs). The nanotube relays were deflected by applying a gate voltage until contact (mechanical and/or electrical) was made with a drain electrode, thus closing the circuit. It was possible to achieve multiple switching cycles, showing that carbon nanotubes are suitable and practical systems for developing nanoelectromechanical devices of this kind.