Micromechanical mode-localized electric current sensor

Abstract

This paper outlines the design of a novel mode-localized electric current sensor based on a mechanically sensitive element of weakly coupled resonator systems. With the advantage of a high voltage sensitivity of weakly coupled resonator systems, the current under test is converted to voltage via a silicon shunt resistor, which causes stiffness perturbation to one resonator. The mode-localization phenomenon alters the energy distribution in the weakly coupled resonator system. A theoretical model of current sensing is established, and the performance of the current sensor is determined: the sensitivity of the electric current sensor is 567/A, the noise floor is 69.3 nA/√Hz, the resolution is 183.6 nA, and the bias instability is 81.6 nA. The mode-localized electric current sensor provides a new approach for measuring sub-microampere currents for applications in nuclear physics, including for photocurrent signals and transistor leakage currents. It could also become a key component of a portable mode-localized multimeter when combined with a mode-localized voltmeter. In addition, it has the potential for use in studying sensor arrays to achieve higher resolution. [Figure not available: see fulltext.]