Spontaneous generation and propagation of transverse coaxial traveling waves in multiwalled carbon nanotubes

Abstract

Spontaneous generation and propagation of a class of transverse and coaxial traveling waves in multiwalled carbon nanotubes annealed at high temperatures were observed by molecular dynamics simulation. It was found that these traveling waves are generated by end resonance. The observed wave velocity is consistent with that predicted by a continuum multiwalled shell model. The observed phenomenon may be used to measure the mechanical properties of carbon nanotubes or as a vibration generator in nanomechanical devices. © 2008 American Institute of Physics.