Synchronization of Micromechanical Oscillators Using Light

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates the optical synchronization of two dissimilar micromechanical oscillators, enabling external control of their coupled or independent states, which advances reconfigurable oscillator networks.

Contribution

It introduces a method for optically coupling dissimilar micromechanical oscillators and controlling their synchronization dynamically.

Findings

Successful optical synchronization of dissimilar oscillators

External tunability of coupling strength and synchronization states

Potential for reconfigurable oscillator networks

Abstract

Synchronization, the emergence of spontaneous order in coupled systems, is of fundamental importance in both physical and biological systems. We demonstrate the synchronization of two dissimilar silicon nitride micromechanical oscillators, that are spaced apart by a few hundred nanometers and are coupled through optical radiation field. The tunability of the optical coupling between the oscillators enables one to externally control the dynamics and switch between coupled and individual oscillation states. These results pave a path towards reconfigurable massive synchronized oscillator networks.