Understanding mechanical properties of nanostructures using Euler’s theory

The objective of this paper is to theoretically quantify large deflections of chromium nanocantilevers using Euler's theory. We show that, remarkably, Euler's theory originally derived for elastic macroscopic rods made of homogeneous material also describes the bending of nanocantilevers. In addition, the theory yields a precise method to deduce Young's extension modulus of the nanocantilevers. In particular, we find our nanocantilevers to be considerably softer than macroscopic chromium rods.