title: Driving a macroscopic oscillator with the stochastic motion of a hydrogen molecule.
abstract: Energy harvesting from noise is a paradigm proposed by the theory of stochastic resonances. We demonstrate that the random switching of a hydrogen (H(2)) molecule can drive the oscillation of a macroscopic mechanical resonator. The H(2) motion was activated by tunneling electrons and caused fluctuations of the forces sensed by the tip of a noncontact atomic force microscope. The stochastic molecular noise and the periodic oscillation of the tip were coupled in a concerted dynamic that drives the system into self-oscillation. This phenomenon could be a way for enhancing the transfer of energy from incoherent sources into coherent dynamics of a molecular engine.
authors.affiliation: Fachbereich Physik, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lotze
authors.forename: Martina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Corso
authors.forename: Katharina J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Franke
authors.forename: Felix
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: von Oppen
authors.forename: Jose Ignacio
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: Pascual