Optomechanical Stochastic Resonance in a Macroscopic Torsion Oscillator

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates stochastic resonance in a macroscopic optomechanical torsion oscillator, showing noise can enhance signal detection in non-linear systems, which is useful for high-precision measurements.

Contribution

It provides the first experimental demonstration of stochastic resonance in a macroscopic optomechanical system with a non-linear potential.

Findings

Signal output is enhanced for sub-threshold signals.

Stochastic resonance improves measurement sensitivity.

Applicable to high-precision optomechanical experiments.

Abstract

Linear mechanical oscillators have been applied to measure very small forces, mostly with the help of noise suppression. In contrast, adding noise to non-linear oscillators can improve the measurement conditions. Here, this effect of stochastic resonance is demonstrated in a macroscopic torsion oscillator, for an optomechanical non-linear potential. The signal output is enhanced for a sub-threshold electronic signal. This non-linear oscillator serves as a model system for the enhancement of signal-to-noise ratio in high precision optomechanical experiments.