Nanomechanical systems with plasmonic resonances as detectors of modulated terahertz radiation

Our nanomechanical system reveals both the mechanical resonance associated with the mechanical oscillations of the nanocantilever and the plasma resonances due to the surface plasmons. As the nanocantilever, a carbon nanotube with metallic conductivity can be utilized. The use of a carbon nanotube might provide (due to its exceptional mechanical properties) the mechanical resonances in the gigahertz and even in the terahertz ranges of frequencies providing the detection of laser radiation with modulation frequencies in these ranges. We also show that the plasma oscillations inside the nanocantilever (carbon nanotube, graphene) might significantly affect the detector operation.