Low force electrical switching using gold coated vertically aligned multi-walled carbon nanotubes surfaces

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Description/Abstract

Gold coated vertically aligned multi-walled carbon-nanotubes (Au/MWCNT) surfaces are investigated to determine the electrical contact performance under low force conditions with repeated load cycling. The multi-walled CNT's are synthesized on silicon planar and sputter coated with a gold film. These planar surfaces are mounted on the tip of a PZT actuator and mated with a coated Au hemispherical probe. The load is typical of MEMs devices, with a 4V supply, 1 and 10mA current, and applied force of 1mN. The contact resistance (Rc) is monitored with the repeated loading cycles (over 1000 and a million cycle) to determine reliability and durability testing. The surfaces are compared with a reference Au-Au contact under the same experimental conditions. This study shows the potential for the application of CNT surfaces as an interface in low force electrical contact applications.