Inmolecular physics/nanotechnology,electrostatic deflection is thedeformation of abeam-like structure/element bent by anelectric field. It can be due to interaction betweenelectrostatic fields and netcharge orelectric polarization effects. Thebeam-like structure/element is generallycantilevered (fix at one of its ends). Innanomaterials,carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are typical ones for electrostatic deflections.
Mechanisms of electric deflection due toelectric polarization can be understood as follows:
When a material is brought into anelectric field (E), the field tends to shift thepositive charge (in red) and thenegative charge (in blue) in opposite directions. Thus, induceddipoles are created. (Fig. 2)
Fig. 3 shows abeam-like structure/element in anelectric field. The interaction between themolecular dipole moment and theelectric field results an inducedtorque (T). Then thistorque tends to align the beam toward the direction of field.
In case of a cantilevered CNT, it would be bent to the field direction. Meanwhile the electrically inducedtorque andstiffness of the CNT compete against each other. Thisdeformation has been observed inexperiments.[1][2] This property is an importantcharacteristic for CNTs promisingnanoelectromechanical systems applications, as well as for their fabrication, separation andelectromanipulation. Recently, severalnanoelectromechanical systems based oncantilevered CNTs have been reported such as:nanorelays,nanoswitches,nanotweezers andfeedback device which are designed formemory,sensing or actuation uses. Furthermore,theoretical studies have been carried out to try to get a full understanding of the electric deflection ofcarbon nanotubes,[3]
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