Autoparametric optical drive for micromechanical oscillators

Citation
M. Zalalutdinov et al., Autoparametric optical drive for micromechanical oscillators, APPL PHYS L, 79(5), 2001, pp. 695-697
Citations number
18
Categorie Soggetti
Apllied Physucs/Condensed Matter/Materiales Science
Journal title
APPLIED PHYSICS LETTERS
ISSN journal
00036951 → ACNP
Volume
79
Issue
5
Year of publication
2001
Pages
695 - 697
Database
ISI
SICI code
0003-6951(20010730)79:5<695:AODFMO>2.0.ZU;2-A
Abstract
Self-generated vibration of a disk-shaped, single-crystal silicon micromech anical oscillator was observed when the power of a continuous wave laser, f ocused on the periphery of the disk exceeded a threshold of a few hundred m uW. With the laser power set to just below the self-generation threshold, t he quality factor for driven oscillations increases by an order of magnitud e from Q=10 000 to Q(enh)=110 000. Laser heating-induced thermal stress mod ulates the effective spring constant via the motion of the disk within the interference pattern of incident and reflected laser beams and provides a m echanism for parametric amplification and self-excitation. Light sources of different wavelengths facilitate both amplification and damping. (C) 2001 American Institute of Physics.