Synchronization of two anharmonic nanomechanical oscillators

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates synchronization in anharmonic nanomechanical oscillators, showing control over their dynamics and significant phase noise reduction, advancing their potential for sensor and clock applications.

Contribution

It provides the first experimental observation and theoretical analysis of synchronization in anharmonic nanoelectromechanical resonators with saturated feedback gain.

Findings

Quantitative agreement between experiment and theory for reactively coupled Duffing resonators.

Significant phase noise reduction in synchronized state.

Nanomechanical oscillator networks are ideal for studying synchronization.

Abstract

We investigate the synchronization of oscillators based on anharmonic nanoelectromechanical resonators. Our experimental implementation allows unprecedented observation and control of parameters governing the dynamics of synchronization. We find close quantitative agreement between experimental data and theory describing reactively coupled Duffing resonators with fully saturated feedback gain. In the synchronized state we demonstrate a significant reduction in the phase noise of the oscillators, which is key for sensor and clock applications. Our work establishes that oscillator networks constructed from nanomechanical resonators form an ideal laboratory to study synchronization given their high-quality factors, small footprint, and ease of co-integration with modern electronic signal processing technologies.