Fluctuation-enhanced frequency mixing in a nonlinear micromechanical oscillator

H. B. Chan and C. Stambaugh
Phys. Rev. B 73, 224301 – Published 16 June 2006

Abstract

We study noise-enhanced frequency mixing in an underdamped micromechanical torsional oscillator. The oscillator is electrostatically driven into bistability by a strong, periodic voltage at frequency ωd. A second, weak ac voltage is applied at a frequency ωs close to ωd. Due to nonlinearity in the system, vibrations occur at both ωs and 2ωdωs. White noise is injected into the excitation, allowing the system to occasionally overcome the activation barrier and switch between the two states. At the primary drive frequency where the occupations of the two states are approximately equal, we observe noise-induced enhancement of the oscillation amplitudes at both ωs and the down-converted frequency 2ωdωs, in agreement with theoretical predictions. Such enhancement occurs as a result of the noise-induced interstate transitions becoming synchronous with the beating between the two driving frequencies.

  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Received 1 March 2006

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.73.224301

©2006 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

H. B. Chan* and C. Stambaugh

  • Department of Physics, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611, USA

  • *Electronic address: hochan@phys.ufl.edu

Article Text (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand

References (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand
Issue

Vol. 73, Iss. 22 — 1 June 2006

Reuse & Permissions
Access Options
Author publication services for translation and copyediting assistance advertisement

Authorization Required


×
×

Images

×

Sign up to receive regular email alerts from Physical Review B

Log In

Cancel
×

Search


Article Lookup

Paste a citation or DOI

Enter a citation
×