We demonstrate a carbon-nanotube-based resonator with atomic mass resolution.  We tailored a multiwalled carbon nanotube (CNT) to possess a resonant frequency over 130 MHz and a Q factor of ~1000.  Calculated with the mass of this tube, the mass sensitivity is estimated about 10^-22 g.  By detecting the resonance frequency shift of this CNT using the STM@TEM system, the mass of a 3 nm Ag particle was estimated to be 0.18x10^-18 g, close to the mass of 1000 Ag atoms.  Our tailored CNT is thus capable to resolve a single Ag atom and can be named an ‘‘atom-balance’’.  It can also be found that the resonance frequency shift due to the Ag particle is sensitive to the Ag particle’s adsorption position on a CNT, as shown in Fig.1.  The results are confirmed with the FEM simulation.  In addition, when a CNT is driven into resonance under the evaporation of Ag atoms, a gradient distribution of Ag particles along the CNT axis can be assembled (Fig. 2).  By combining these techniques, further improvements may conceivably achieve the mass resolution of a light element, which could then enable the elemental or chemical identification.

• Legal notice:
  

  Copyright (c) Pielaszek Research, all rights reserved.
  The above materials, including auxiliary resources, are subject to Publisher's copyright and the Author(s) intellectual rights. Without limiting Author(s) rights under respective Copyright Transfer Agreement, no part of the above documents may be reproduced without the express written permission of Pielaszek Research, the Publisher. Express permission from the Author(s) is required to use the above materials for academic purposes, such as lectures or scientific presentations.
  In every case, proper references including Author(s) name(s) and URL of this webpage: https://science24.com/paper/18380 must be provided.