Weak signal enhancement by non-linear resonance control in a forced nano-electromechanical resonator

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates how vibrational resonance in a driven nano-electromechanical nonlinear resonator can significantly enhance weak signals, with potential applications in RF signal processing and sensing.

Contribution

It introduces a novel method of weak signal enhancement using vibrational resonance in a monostable nano-electromechanical system, combining experimental and theoretical analysis.

Findings

Significant weak signal enhancement observed experimentally.

Theoretical analysis confirms vibrational resonance mechanism.

Potential applications in RF signal processing and sensing.

Abstract

Driven non-linear resonators can display sharp resonances or even multistable behaviours amenable to induce strong enhancements of weak signals. Such enhancements can make use of the phenomenon of vibrational resonance whereby a weak low-frequency signal applied to a bistable resonator can be amplified by driving the non-linear oscillator with another appropriately-adjusted non-resonant high-frequency field. Here we demonstrate the resonant enhancement of a weak signal by use of a vibrational force yet in a monostable system consisting of a driven nano-electromechanical nonlinear resonator. The oscillator is subjected to a strong quasi-resonant drive and to two additional tones: a weak signal at lower frequency and a non-resonant driving at an intermediate frequency. We show experimentally and theoretically a significant enhancement of the weak signal thanks to the occurence of vibrational resonance enabled by the presence of the intermediate frequency driving. We analyse this phenomenon in terms of coherent nonlinear resonance manipulation. Our results illustrate a general mechanism which may have applications in the fields of radio-frequency signal processing or sensing for instance.