Microwave amplification with nanomechanical resonators

There is strong interest at present in nanoelectromechanical systems (NEMS) in IC technology. On one hand, the interest arises from the need to have integrated oscillators to replace quartz devices and, on the other hand, from the wish to have tunable filters for cognitive radios in mobile communications. In addition, there are lots of opportunities in quantum information processing, where coherence properties are crucial, and where mechanical systems at low temperatures are notoriously suitable as their harmonic character and low loss can provide exceedingly long relaxation times.