On New Aspects of Nested Carbon Nanotubes as Gigahertz Oscillators

Abstract

Nested carbon nanotubes exhibit telescopic oscillatory motion with frequencies in the gigahertz range. In this paper, our previously proposed semi-analytical expression for the interaction force between two concentric carbon nanotubes is used to solve the equation of motion. That expression also enables a new semi-analytical expression for the precise evaluation of oscillation frequency to be introduced. Alternatively, an algebraic frequency formula derived based on the simplifying assumption of constant van der Waals force is also given. Based on the given formulas, a thorough study on different aspects of operating frequencies under various system parameters is conducted, which permits fresh insight into the problem. Some notable improvements over the previously drawn conclusions are made. The strong dependence of oscillatory frequency on system parameters including the extrusion distance and initial velocity of the core as initial conditions for the motion is shown. Interestingly, our results indicate that there is a special initial velocity at which oscillatory frequency is unique for any arbitrary length of the core. A particular relationship between the escape velocity (the minimum initial velocity beyond which the core will leave the outer nanotube) and this specific initial velocity is also revealed.