Active frequency tuning of the cantilever nanoresonator utilizing a phase transformation of NiTi thin film

Due to their small sizes, compactness, low cost, high sensitivity, high resolution and extraordinary physical properties, nanoresonators have attracted a widespread attention from the scientific community. It is required that the nanoresonators can operate at desired but adjustable resonant frequencies. In this work, we present a novel active frequency tuning method utilizing a large change of the Young’s modulus (more than 50 %) and generated interlayer stress (up a few hundred of MPa) during a phase transformation of NiTi thin film deposited on an elastic substrate. We show that this tuning mechanism can allow one to achieve the extraordinary high fundamental resonant frequency tunability (~30 %). The impact of NiTi film thickness and dimensions on the first three consecutive resonant frequencies of the cantilever nanobeam is examined. In addition, developed theoretical model can be used as a simple guide for further design of novel tunable cantilever nanoresonators with thin films that cover only partially the entire cantilever length.