Synchronization of micromechanical oscillators using light.
Synchronization, the emergence of spontaneous order in coupled systems, is of fundamental importance in both physical and biological systems. We demonstrate the synchronization of two dissimilar silicon nitride micromechanical oscillators, that are spaced apart by a few hundred nanometers and are coupled through an optical cavity radiation field. The tunability of the optical coupling between the oscillators enables one to externally control the dynamics and switch between coupled and individual oscillation states. These results pave a path toward reconfigurable synchronized oscillator networks.
School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, USA.
Mian
M
Zhang
Gustavo S
GS
Wiederhecker
Sasikanth
S
Manipatruni
Arthur
A
Barnard
Paul
P
McEuen
Michal
M
Lipson
D008027:Light; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D055096:Optical Devices; D009991:Oscillometry / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*