Abstract
Particles can be detected through the acoustic signal induced in a solid body in which their energy is released and converted into a localized and adiabatic heating. It is important to optimize the size of the target to enhance the amplitude of the displacements induced by the energy release. Transduction of displacements of a small resonator at room temperature using a tunnelling tip has been shown and compared to the performances of a capacitive electromechanical transducer.