Topological Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems

TL;DR

This paper investigates the topological properties of micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS), revealing novel topological phases, edge states, and measurement methods based on models like the SSH and trimer models.

Contribution

It introduces the application of topological models to MEMS, demonstrating topological phases and edge states through experimental and theoretical analysis.

Findings

Topological phases are characterized by winding numbers and inversion-symmetry indicators.

Topological edge states are detected via electromechanical-impedance resonance.

The study opens new avenues for topological MEMS applications.

Abstract

We explore the topological aspect of dynamics in a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS), which is a combination of an electric-circuit system and a mass-spring system. A simplest example is a sequential chain of capacitors and springs. It is shown that such a chain exhibits novel topological dynamics with respect to its oscillation modes. On one hand, when it undergoes free oscillation, the system is governed by the Su-Schrieffer-Heeger model, and the topological charge is given by a winding number. Topological and trivial phases are differentiated by measuring the dynamics of the outermost plate. On the other hand, when it undergoes periodical motion in time, the system is governed by an inversion-symmetric-trimer model, and the topological phases are characterized by an inversion-symmetry indicator. There emerge topological edge states, which are well signaled by measuring electromechanical-impedance resonance. Our results will open an attractive field of topological MEMS.