Abstract: A method of characterizing frequency fluctuations of a resonator comprising the steps of: a) driving the resonator, in a linear regime, by simultaneously applying two periodical driving signals having respective frequencies, the frequencies being different from each other and from a resonant frequency of the resonator, but contained within a resonance linewidth thereof; b) performing simultaneous measurements of response signal of the resonator at the frequencies of the periodical driving signal; and c) computing a value representative of a correlation between the measurements, the value being indicative of frequency fluctuations of the resonator. An apparatus for implementing such a method is provided.

Abstract: Resonator measurement system having at least MEMS and/or NEMS, comprising: an optomechanical device comprising at least one resonating element at at least one resonance frequency of fr and at least one optical element whose optical index is sensitive to the displacement of the resonating element, excitation circuitry of exciting the resonating element at least at one operating frequency of fm, injection device for injecting a light beam whose intensity is modulated at frequency f1=fm+?f in the optomechanical device, a photodetection device configured measure the intensity of a light beam coming out of the optomechanical device, the intensity of the measurement beam having at least one component at frequency ?f.

Abstract: An in-plane MEMS or NEMS detection device for measuring displacements directed along a direction including a seismic mass suspended with respect to a substrate, the seismic mass being pivotable about an axis perpendicular to the plane of the substrate, at least one piezoresistive strain gauge mechanically connected to the seismic mass and the substrate, wherein the piezoresistive gauge has a thickness lower than that of the seismic mass, and wherein the axis of the piezoresistive strain gauge is orthogonal to the plane containing the pivot axis and the center of gravity of the seismic mass and the plane is orthogonal to the direction of the displacements to be measured.

Abstract: A nanoelectronic system comprised of n microelectromechanical or nanoelectromechanical devices arranged on a connection support to electrically connect the n devices, each device with an interaction area, at least one mechanical anchor and a first terminal, a second terminal and a third terminal, the relative arrangement of the first, second and third terminals, the anchor area and the interaction area being identical or similar for the n sensors, the first terminal of each device being intended to recover a signal emitted by each representative device of the interaction area state. At least part of the devices are arranged in such a way that the geometric location of the first terminal of one of the adjacent devices is identical to the geometric location of the first terminal of said other adjacent device, the first terminals being coincident.

Abstract: A device is provided for determining the mass of a particle in suspension or in solution in a fluid, including a first device for the nebulization of the fluid to obtain a flux comprising at least the particle; a second device for the guidance and the aerodynamic focusing of the flux; and a third device for determining the mass of the particle by a frequency measurement, the third device including at least one gravimetric detector, arranged opposite an outlet of the second device, to receive the particle.

Abstract: A measuring system including: at least two electromechanical resonators each having a resonant frequency varying around an offload resonant frequency according to a physical quantity to be measured; at least one reading device connected to inputs of the resonators and configured to supply an excitation signal on the inputs; and a memory in which is recorded, for each resonator, offload resonance information relating to the offload resonant frequency of the resonator. Each reading device is configured to determine the resonant frequency of one or more resonators selected for reading by configuring at least one element of the reading device using the offload resonance information stored for each selected resonator.

Abstract: An optomechanical device with mechanical elements and optical filters for actuating and/or detecting movement of the elements, including a support, and on the support: an array of mechanical elements anchored to the support and configured to move with respect thereto, and an actuating and/or detection device actuating the elements and/or detecting movement of the elements or frequency variations of the movement. The actuating and/or detection device includes an array of optical filters. Each filter resonates at a particular wavelength and is coupled to one of the elements. The actuating and/or detecting device is positioned in vicinity of all or some of the elements, between the elements and the support. The optical filters are fixed with respect to the support and the mechanical elements and the optical filters are superimposed.

Abstract: A device including: a nanowire that includes a first conductive region, and a second region, wherein the second region is an insulator material, the second region does not occupy an entire thickness of the nanowire, and the nanowire is configured so that a current is able to circulate in the nanowire from one end of the nanowire to another end of the nanowire.

Abstract: A device with a suspended beam and piezoresistive means of detecting displacement of the beam and a method of manufacturing the device are disclosed. The device comprises a support, a suspended beam, moving parallel to the plane of the support, and means of detecting displacement, comprising at least two piezoresistive strain gauges that are not in line with each other. The beam is suspended through detection means. The two gauges are located on two opposite lateral faces of the beam respectively.

Abstract: A resonant device with piezoresistive detection and with a resonator connected elastically to the support of the device, and method for manufacturing the device. The device includes: a support; a suspended resonator, which moves parallel to the plane of the support; an actuator for actuating the resonator; and a detector for detecting the movement, including at least one piezoresistive gauge. According to the invention, the resonator is anchored to the support through at least one flexurally elastic element, to enable the threshold where a non-linear displacement regime appears to be raised. The device can be manufactured by a surface technology, and applies notably to resonant mass sensors.

Abstract: An in-plane actuated resonant device, and method of manufacturing the device. The device includes a support; a suspended beam, moving parallel to the plane of the surface of the support and anchored to the support through at least one of its ends; and a mechanism actuating the beam to enable its displacement parallel to the support. The actuation mechanism includes at least one suspended element, anchored to the support and to one lateral face of the beam. The element moves when a control voltage is applied to the element and thus causes displacement of the beam. The device may be manufactured using surface technology and is applicable particularly for resonant mass sensors.

Abstract: An in-plane MEMS or NEMS detection device for measuring displacements directed along a direction including a seismic mass suspended with respect to a substrate, the seismic mass being pivotable about an axis perpendicular to the plane of the substrate, at least one piezoresistive strain gauge mechanically connected to the seismic mass and the substrate, wherein the piezoresistive gauge has a thickness lower than that of the seismic mass, and wherein the axis of the piezoresistive strain gauge is orthogonal to the plane containing the pivot axis and the center of gravity of the seismic mass and the plane is orthogonal to the direction of the displacements to be measured.

Abstract: An in-plane MEMS or NEMS detection device for measuring displacements directed along a direction including a seismic mass suspended with respect to a substrate, the seismic mass being pivotable about an axis perpendicular to the plane of the substrate, at least one piezoresistive strain gauge mechanically connected to the seismic mass and the substrate, wherein the piezoresistive gauge has a thickness lower than that of the seismic mass, and wherein the axis of the piezoresistive strain gauge is orthogonal to the plane containing the pivot axis and the center of gravity of the seismic mass and the plane is orthogonal to the direction of the displacements to be measured.

Abstract: A method is provided for detecting a perturbation with respect to an initial state, of a device comprising at least one resonant mechanical element exhibiting a physical parameter sensitive to a perturbation such that the said perturbation modifies the resonance frequency of the said resonant mechanical element. A device is provided for detecting a perturbation by hysteretic cycle comprising at least one electromechanical resonator with nonlinear behaviour and means for actuation and for detection of the reception signal via a transducer so as to analyse the response signal implementing the method. A mass sensor and a mass spectrometer using the device are also provided.

Abstract: A nano electro-mechanical system (NEMS) formed on a substrate is provided including at least one fixed part associated with the substrate and at least one movable part in relation to the substrate, the system including a transduction component configured to excite the movable part to confer on it a movement and/or to detect a movement of the movable part, the transduction component including at least one electrically conductive material. The electrically conductive material is made of an AlSi alloy based deposition, the deposition being supported at least in part by the movable part of the system.

Abstract: Electromechanical detection device, particularly for gravimetric detection, and method for manufacturing the device. The electromechanical detection device includes a support including a face defining a plane, at least one beam that can move relative to the support, and means of detecting beam displacement, outputting a signal that depends on the displacement. The beam is anchored to the support through an end and is approximately perpendicular to the plane, and the other end of the beam includes at least one reception zone that can receive one or several particles causing or modifying displacement of the beam, in order to determine at least one physical property of the particle(s) from the signal. According to the invention, the detection means are located between the reception zone and the support.

Abstract: Optomechanical device for actuating and/or detecting movement of a mechanical element, in particular for gravimetric detection. It includes a support with a mechanical element anchored to the support which is designed to move relative to the element, and a device for actuating and/or detecting movement or of variations in frequency of movement of the element. A portion of the device is arranged beneath at least part of the element, between the element and the support. The device includes a fixed optical device with at least one optical waveguide arranged beneath all or part of the element at a determined distance from the element, and which is designed to propagate at least one optical wave having a given wavelength designed to interact with the element. The optical waveguide is at a determined distance from the mechanical element so that the evanescent field of the optical waveguide interacts with the mechanical element.

Abstract: An electromechanical resonator produced on a substrate, and a method of producing thereof, including: a suspended structure produced at least partly from the substrate, configured to have a vibration imparted to it such that it resonates at least one natural resonance frequency of the suspended structure; an anchor structure to anchor the suspended structure, by at least one area of its periphery, to the remainder of the substrate, and dimensioned to resonate at the resonance frequency; a mechanism to excite the suspended structure, to cause it to vibrate at the resonance frequency; and a mechanism to detect the vibration frequency of the suspended structure.

Abstract: Device for determining the mass of a particle in suspension or in solution in a fluid. Said device comprises: a first device (2) for the nebulization of the fluid (4) to obtain a flux comprising at least the particle, a second device (6) for the guidance and the aerodynamic focusing of the flux and a third device (12) for determining the mass of the particle by a frequency measurement, said third device comprising at least one gravimetric detector (14), arranged opposite the outlet of the second device, to receive the particle.

Abstract: An electromechanical resonator including: at least one deformable element, and at least one electrode that simultaneously supplies, to the at least one deformable element, at least one first actuating force at a first frequency, and a second actuating force at a second frequency, the first and the second frequencies creating at least two simultaneous resonances with a primary resonance at a frequency ?0 equal to the first frequency and the second frequency being equal to a subharmonic resonant frequency (k?0, with k>1) of the resonator, or to a superharmonic resonant frequency (?0/k, with k>1).