Paul McEuen
Carbon Nanotubes: Transistors, Sensors, and Tiny Guitars

Laboratory of Atomic and Solid State Physics
Cornell University

Carbon nanotubes–nanometer diameter cylinders made from rolling up single graphene sheets–are a remarkable new material for exploring the nanoscale world. This talk will review measurements by our group examining the electronic, mechanical, and chemical/biological sensing properties of single nanotube devices. First, we have studied the fundamental electron scattering processes in nanotube conductors and measured the intrinsic orbital magnetic moment that comes from living on a cylinder. In addition, we have explored the use of nanotubes for sensing lipid membranes and molecules in an aqueous environment. Finally, we have made (and listened to) the world’s smallest electric guitar by suspending a nanotube over a trench and strumming it electronically.