Abstract
Linear mechanical oscillators have been applied to measure very small forces, mostly with the help of noise suppression. In contrast, adding noise to nonlinear oscillators can improve the measurement conditions. Here, this effect of stochastic resonance is demonstrated in a macroscopic torsion oscillator, for an optomechanical nonlinear potential. The signal output is enhanced for a subthreshold electronic signal. This nonlinear oscillator serves as a model system for the enhancement of signal-to-noise ratio in high precision optomechanical experiments.
- Received 1 April 2008
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.79.031804
©2009 American Physical Society
Viewpoint
Order out of noise
Published 23 March 2009
Stochastic resonance, in which a periodic signal applied to a nonlinear system can be amplified by adding noise, has been observed in a mechanical system and predicted to occur in a Bose-Einstein condensate.
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