Optimal operating points of oscillators using nonlinear resonators

Higher-order singularities in phase-tracked electromechanical oscillators

Singularities ubiquitously exist in different fields and play a pivotal role in probing the fundamental laws of physics and developing highly sensitive sensors. Nevertheless, achieving higher-order (≥3) singularities, which exhibit superior performance, typically necessitates meticulous tuning of multiple (≥3) coupled degrees of freedom or additional introduction of nonlinear potential energies. Here we propose theoretically and confirm using mechanics experiments, the existence of an unexplored cusp singularity in the phase-tracked (PhT) steady states of a pair of coherently coupled mechanical modes without the need for multiple (≥3) coupled modes or nonlinear potential energies. By manipulating the PhT singularities in an electrostatically tunable micromechanical system, we demonstrate an enhanced cubic-root response to frequency perturbations. This study introduces a new phase-tracking method for studying interacting systems and sheds new light on building and engineering advanced singular devices with simple and well-controllable elements, with potential applications in precision metrology, portable nonreciprocal devices, and on-chip mechanical computing.

Nonlinear Nanomechanical Mass Spectrometry at the Single-Nanoparticle Level

Nanoelectromechanical systems (NEMS) have emerged as a promising technology for performing the mass spectrometry of large biomolecules and nanoparticles. As nanoscale objects land on NEMS sensors one by one, they induce resolvable shifts in the resonance frequency of the sensor proportional to their weight. The operational regime of NEMS sensors is often limited by the onset of nonlinearity, beyond which the highly sensitive schemes based on frequency tracking by phase-locked loops cannot be readily used. Here, we develop a measurement architecture with which to operate at the nonlinear regime and measure frequency shifts induced by analytes in a rapid and sensitive manner. We used this architecture to individually characterize the mass of gold nanoparticles and verified the results by performing independent measurements of the same nanoparticles based on linear mass sensing. Once the feasibility of the technique is established, we have obtained the mass spectrum of a 20 nm gold nanoparticle sample by individually recording about 500 single-particle events using two modes working sequentially in the nonlinear regime. The technique obtained here can be used for thin nanomechanical structures that possess a limited dynamic range.

Phase reduction and phase-based optimal control for biological systems: a tutorial

A powerful technique for the analysis of nonlinear oscillators is the rigorous reduction to phase models, with a single variable describing the phase of the oscillation with respect to some reference state. An analog to phase reduction has recently been proposed for systems with a stable fixed point, and phase reduction for periodic orbits has recently been extended to take into account transverse directions and higher-order terms. This tutorial gives a unified treatment of such phase reduction techniques and illustrates their use through mathematical and biological examples. It also covers the use of phase reduction for designing control algorithms which optimally change properties of the system, such as the phase of the oscillation. The control techniques are illustrated for example neural and cardiac systems.

Optimization of the Close-to-Carrier Phase Noise in a CMOS-MEMS Oscillator Using a Phase Tunable Sustaining-Amplifier

In this paper, the phase noise of a 24-MHz complimentary metal-oxide-semiconductor microelectromechanical systems (CMOS-MEMS) oscillator with zero-level vacuum package is studied. We characterize and analyze the nonlinear regime of each one of the modules that compose the oscillator (CMOS sustaining-amplifier and MEMS resonator). As we show, the presented resonator exhibits a high nonlinear behavior. Such a fact is exploited as a mechanism to stabilize the oscillation amplitude, allowing us to maintain the sustaining-amplifier working in the linear regime. Consequently, the nonlinear resonator becomes the main close-to-carrier phase noise source. The sustaining amplifier, which functions as a phase shifter, was developed such that MEMS operation point optimization could be achieved without an increase in circuitry modules. Therefore, the system saves on area and power, and is able to improve the phase noise 26 dBc/Hz (at 1-kHz carrier frequency offset).

Eliminating 1/f noise in oscillators

We study 1/f and narrow-bandwidth noise in precision oscillators based on high-quality factor resonators and feedback. The dynamics of such an oscillator are well described by two variables, an amplitude and a phase. In this description we show that low-frequency feedback noise is represented by a single noise vector in phase space. The implication of this is that 1/f and narrow-bandwidth noise can be eliminated by tuning controllable parameters, such as the feedback phase. We present parameter values for which the noise is eliminated and provide specific examples of noise sources for further illustration.

Phase noise of oscillators with unsaturated amplifiers

We study the role of amplifier saturation in eliminating feedback noise in self-sustained oscillators. We extend previous works that use a saturated amplifier to quench fluctuations in the feedback magnitude, while simultaneously tuning the oscillator to an operating point at which the resonator nonlinearity cancels fluctuations in the feedback phase. We consider a generalized model which features an amplitude-dependent amplifier gain function. This allows us to determine the total oscillator phase noise in realistic configurations due to noise in both quadratures of the feedback, and to show that it is not necessary to drive the resonator to large oscillation amplitudes in order to eliminate noise in the phase of the feedback.

Surpassing fundamental limits of oscillators using nonlinear resonators

In its most basic form an oscillator consists of a resonator driven on resonance, through feedback, to create a periodic signal sustained by a static energy source. The generation of a stable frequency, the basic function of oscillators, is typically achieved by increasing the amplitude of motion of the resonator while remaining within its linear, harmonic regime. Contrary to this conventional paradigm, in this Letter we show that by operating the oscillator at special points in the resonator's anharmonic regime we can overcome fundamental limitations of oscillator performance due to thermodynamic noise as well as practical limitations due to noise from the sustaining circuit. We develop a comprehensive model that accounts for the major contributions to the phase noise of the nonlinear oscillator. Using a nanoelectromechanical system based oscillator, we experimentally verify the existence of a special region in the operational parameter space that enables suppressing the most significant contributions to the oscillator's phase noise, as predicted by our model.