Multi-functional MEMS/NEMS for nanometrology applications

As micro- and nano-electromechanical systems (M/NEMS) enter more widely into sensing applications and precision nanometrology it is timely to consider the advantages to be gained from a excitation and readout system which may be tailored for a wide range of applications. In this paper we describe a system that we are developing which allows a combination of excitation and readout methods which impact on many potential applications.