Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 3, 2026

Fabrication and Testing of Microfluidic Optomechanical Oscillators
Published on: May 29, 2014
Phase synchronization of two anharmonic nanomechanical oscillators
Matthew H Matheny1, Matt Grau1, Luis G Villanueva1
1Kavli Nanoscience Institute and Departments of Physics, Applied Physics, and Bioengineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91125, USA.
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 cointegration with modern electronic signal processing technologies.
Related Concept Videos
Forced Oscillations
Concept of Resonance and its Characteristics
Oscillations about an Equilibrium Position
Damped Oscillations
Although friction and other non-conservative...
Simple Harmonic Motion
Oscillations In An LC Circuit

