Measuring Carbon Nanotube Vibrations Using A Single-Electron Transistor As A Fast Linear Amplifier

We demonstrate sensitive and fast electrical measurements of a carbon nanotube mechanical resonator. The nanotube is configured as a single-electron transistor, whose conductance is a sensitive transducer for its own displacement. Using an impedance-matching circuit followed by a cryogenic amplifier, the vibrations can be monitored at radio frequency. The sensitivity of this continuous displacement measurement approaches within a factor 470 of the standard quantum limit. Published by AIP Publishing.