Dielectric actuation of optically transparent electromechanical resonator consisting of a cantilevered hexagonal boron nitride sheet

Hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) is an emergent material for single photon emitters that are ultrabright and stable under ambient conditions. To realize h-BN nano-electromechanical resonators (NEMRs) with quantum effects, the oscillation would be electrically controlled without unexpected photothermal effects. This study investigates the mechanical resonance of an optically transparent and electrically insulating h-BN NEMR, which was actuated by an electrostatic force based on the dielectric effect. Under light irradiation, resonance properties show no significant light intensity or wavelength dependence, which indicates that the photothermal effect is well eliminated because of optically transparent h-BN NEMR.