Force and magnetic field sensor based on measurement of tunneling conductance between ends of coaxial carbon nanotubes

The interaction and tunneling conductance between oppositely located ends of coaxial carbon nanotubes are studied by the example of two (11,11) nanotubes with open ends terminated by hydrogen atoms. The Green function formalism is applied to determine the tunneling current through the nanotube ends as a function of the distance between the ends, relative orientation of the nanotubes and voltage applied. The energy favorable configuration of the coaxial nanotubes is obtained by the analysis of their interaction energy at different distances between the nanotube ends and angles of their relative rotation. Using these calculations, a general scheme of the force sensor based on the interaction between ends of coaxial nanotubes is proposed and the relation between the tunneling conductance and measured force is established for the considered nanotubes. The operational characteristics of this device as a magnetic field sensor based on measurements of the magnetic force acting on the coaxial nanotubes filled with magnetic endofullerenes are estimated.
Comment: 9 pages, 8 figures