Amplitude stabilization in a synchronized nonlinear nanomechanical oscillator

TL;DR

This paper explores how amplitude stability in a synchronized nonlinear nanomechanical oscillator can be enhanced through phase control, revealing new insights into synchronization phenomena and potential applications.

Contribution

It provides the first combined experimental and theoretical analysis of amplitude stability in synchronized nonlinear nanomechanical oscillators, emphasizing phase influence.

Findings

Amplitude fluctuations are reduced in the strongly nonlinear regime.

Phase difference critically affects amplitude levels.

Findings extend synchronization applications beyond clock references.

Abstract

In contrast to the well-known phenomenon of frequency stabilization in a synchronized noisy nonlinear oscillator, little is known about its amplitude stability. In this paper, we investigate experimentally and theoretically the amplitude evolution and stability of a nonlinear nanomechanical self-sustained oscillator that is synchronized with an external harmonic drive. We show that the phase difference between the tones plays a critical role on the amplitude level, and we demonstrate that in the strongly nonlinear regime, its amplitude fluctuations are reduced considerably. These findings bring to light a new facet of the synchronization phenomenon, extending its range of applications beyond the field of clock-references and suggesting a new means to enhance oscillator amplitude stability.