Dia- and adiabatic dynamics in a phononic network

TL;DR

This paper investigates the dynamics of a network of three coupled nanomechanical string resonators made from Si3N4, exploring classical analogs of quantum phenomena like Landau-Zener transitions through experimental spectroscopy and time domain techniques.

Contribution

It extends previous work from two to three coupled resonators, revealing new features in their classical inter-string dynamics and analogs of quantum Landau-Zener transitions.

Findings

Demonstrated tunable coupling in a three-resonator system

Observed classical analog of Landau-Zener transition dynamics

Explored multi-level classical dynamics in nanomechanical networks

Abstract

Mechanical resonator networks are currently discussed in the context of model systems giving insight into problems of condensed matter physics including effects in topological phases. Here, we discuss networks based on three high-quality factor nanomechanical string resonators (nanostrings) made from highly tensile-stressed Si$_{3}$N$_{4}$. The strings are strongly coupled via a shared support and thus can form a fully mechanical, classical multi-level system. Moreover, the individual strings are tunable in frequency, which allows one to explore their coupling behaviour using continuous wave spectroscopy and time domain techniques. In particular, such systems allow for the experimental exploration of quantum phenomena such as Landau-Zener transition dynamics by studying their classical analogues. Here, we extend the previous work performed on two coupled strings to three coupled resonators and discuss the additional features of the inter-string dynamics, such as the classical analog of Landau-Zener transition dynamics in a three-mode system. classical analog of Landau-Zener transition dynamics in a three-mode system.