Synchronization in a coupled architecture of microelectromechanical oscillators

Agrawal, Deepak K.; Woodhouse, J.; Seshia, Ashwin A.

doi:10.1063/1.4871011

Cited by 31 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 28 publications

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“…These phenomena have found practical applications in RF communication [4], signal-processing [5], novel computing and memory concepts [6,7], clock synchronization and navigation [8], as well as in phased locked loop circuits [9]. For these applications, micro-and nano-mechanical devices are known to present opportunities of integration and scalability [10][11][12][13][14][15] but more recently, optomechanical systems further emerged as new appealing candidates. Indeed they support non-linearly coupled optical and mechanical modes [16,17], and add to the mechanics the assets of optical techniques in terms of precision and long-distance communications [18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25].…”

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confidence: 99%

Light-Mediated Cascaded Locking of Multiple Nano-Optomechanical Oscillators

et al. 2017

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Collective phenomena emerging from non-linear interactions between multiple oscillators, such as synchronization and frequency locking, find applications in a wide variety of fields. Optomechanical resonators, which are intrinsically non-linear, combine the scientific assets of mechanical devices with the possibility of long distance controlled interactions enabled by travelling light. Here we demonstrate light-mediated frequency locking of three distant nano-optomechanical oscillators positioned in a cascaded configuration. The oscillators, integrated on a chip along a coupling waveguide, are optically driven with a single laser and oscillate at gigahertz frequency. Despite an initial frequency disorder of hundreds of kilohertz, the guided light locks them all with a clear transition in the optical output. The experimental results are described by Langevin equations, paving the way to scalable cascaded optomechanical configurations.Synchronization and frequency locking have been observed in a large variety of contexts ranging from physics to biology, e.g. in classical coupled pendula [1], in coupled lasers [2], and in the rhythmic beating of pacemaker cells [3]. These phenomena have found practical applications in RF communication [4], signal-processing [5], novel computing and memory concepts [6,7], clock synchronization and navigation [8], as well as in phased locked loop circuits [9]. For these applications, micro-and nano-mechanical devices are known to present opportunities of integration and scalability [10][11][12][13][14][15] but more recently, optomechanical systems further emerged as new appealing candidates. Indeed they support non-linearly coupled optical and mechanical modes [16,17], and add to the mechanics the assets of optical techniques in terms of precision and long-distance communications [18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25].Light injected in an optomechanical cavity can deform it under the action of optical forces, and in the dynamical backaction regime can amplify its mechanical motion. When amplification overcomes mechanical dissipation, the system transits to a stable limit cycle, often referred to as optomechanical self-oscillation [26,27]. In the last years, several studies investigated the synchronization of such optomechanical oscillators [20][21][22]25]. The synchronization of two oscillators placed close to contact and sharing a common optical mode was reported in [20]. Recently, the same configuration was pushed up to 7 resonators [25]. Two spatially-separated oscillators integrated in a common optical racetrack cavity were also synchronized in [22]. The possibility of locking two optomechanical systems without sharing a common optical mode was implemented as well in [21], in two steps and with two lasers. The optical output of a first laser-driven optomechanical oscillator was transduced into an electrical signal, which was carried away to fed a distant electro-optic modulator. The latter modulated a second laser driving a second optomechanical oscillator, ultimately insuring phase lo...

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Light-Mediated Cascaded Locking of Multiple Nano-Optomechanical Oscillators

et al. 2017

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“…[11][12][13][14] Distinct from injection locking, mutual synchronization and mutual subharmonic synchronization occur when there is mutual, bidirectional coupling between the two oscillators. 10,[15][16][17][18][19][20] In oscillators based on micro-and nano-electromechanical systems (MEMS and NEMS) resonators, mutual synchronization is of interest because, assuming constant strain-energy density, oscillator phase noise increases as the physical volume of a resonator decreases. As a result, NEMS and MEMS-based oscillators tend to have greater phase noise than their macroscopic equivalents.…”

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confidence: 99%

“…However, it has been shown that phase noise can be reduced below the individual-resonator level by mutually synchronizing multiple resonators. 21 Synchronization in these NEMS and MEMS devices is most commonly demonstrated by coupling two different resonators either electronically 17 or mechanically via electrostatic force, 20,22 light, 23,24 or flexures. 25,26 The need to use multiple resonators in these demonstrations introduces a serious flaw in this approach, since the original goal of miniaturization is reduced size.…”

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confidence: 99%

“…9,10,20 The model in Eq. (2) predicts similar behavior as the energy of the first oscillator (3h mode) is increased.…”

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confidence: 99%

“…An asymmetric synchronization range is observed when the resonance modes have nonlinearities and this asymmetry has been previously reported in injection-locked oscillators 9,10 and mutual synchronization. 20 To study the theoretical behavior of the coupled oscillators, we introduce a model which explains this behavior. The two resonance modes are coupled through linear and nonlinear electromechanical stiffness terms.…”

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Mutual 3:1 subharmonic synchronization in a micromachined silicon disk resonator

Taheri-Tehrani

Guerrieri

Defoort

et al. 2017

Applied Physics Letters

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We demonstrate synchronization between two intrinsically coupled oscillators that are created from two distinct vibration modes of a single micromachined disk resonator. The modes have a 3:1 subharmonic frequency relationship and cubic, non-dissipative electromechanical coupling between the modes enables their two frequencies to synchronize. Our experimental implementation allows the frequency of the lower frequency oscillator to be independently controlled from that of the higher frequency oscillator, enabling study of the synchronization dynamics. We find close quantitative agreement between the experimental behavior and an analytical coupled-oscillator model as a function of the energy in the two oscillators. We demonstrate that the synchronization range increases when the lower frequency oscillator is strongly driven and when the higher frequency oscillator is weakly driven. This result suggests that synchronization can be applied to the frequency-selective detection of weak signals and other mechanical signal processing functions.

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A Comprehensive Categorization of Micro/Nanomechanical Resonators and Their Practical Applications from an Engineering Perspective: A Review

Ghaemi

Nikoobin

Ashory

2022

Adv Elect Materials

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Micro/nanoelectromechanical systems (M/NEMS), especially micro/nanomechanical resonators, provide an unprecedented platform for investigating a wide range of applications in both fundamental physical phenomena (such as quantum‐level problems) and engineering and applied sciences (like sensing physical quantities and signal processing). In sensing context, these tiny resonators are invaluable tools for detecting weak forces and single molecules. Measuring such small variations in sub‐nanometer amplitudes at high frequencies has created many practical challenges. Therefore, maximizing the responsivity to a specified input parameter and minimizing the responsivity to other inputs such as noise are considered as the optimal design for the excellent performance in nanoresonators. The present review aims to summarize some of the recent progress in this rapidly advancing field. Specifically, more attention is paid to the topics related to the dynamical behaviors of micro/nanoresonator and their practical applications. First, the theory behind micro/nanoresonators is described. Then a summary is presented of the basic concepts in resonant devices. In addition, several commonly dynamical techniques to enhance sensitivity are introduced. Finally, the devices are classified based on linear and nonlinear, single and array, symmetric and asymmetric, and frequency shift‐based and amplitude shift‐based resonators, along with the relative advantages and disadvantages of each one in engineering applications.

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Synchronization in a coupled architecture of microelectromechanical oscillators

Cited by 31 publications

References 28 publications

Light-Mediated Cascaded Locking of Multiple Nano-Optomechanical Oscillators

Light-Mediated Cascaded Locking of Multiple Nano-Optomechanical Oscillators

Mutual 3:1 subharmonic synchronization in a micromachined silicon disk resonator

A Comprehensive Categorization of Micro/Nanomechanical Resonators and Their Practical Applications from an Engineering Perspective: A Review

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