title: Nonlinearity-induced synchronization enhancement in micromechanical oscillators.
abstract: An autonomous oscillator synchronizes to an external harmonic force only when the forcing frequency lies within a certain interval-known as the synchronization range-around the oscillator's natural frequency. Under ordinary conditions, the width of the synchronization range decreases when the oscillation amplitude grows, which constrains synchronized motion of micro- and nanomechanical resonators to narrow frequency and amplitude bounds. Here, we show that nonlinearity in the oscillator can be exploited to manifest a regime where the synchronization range increases with increasing oscillation amplitude. Experimental data are provided for self-sustained micromechanical oscillators operating in this regime, and analytical results show that nonlinearities are the key determinants of this effect. Our results provide a new strategy to enhance the synchronization of micromechanical oscillators by capitalizing on their intrinsic nonlinear dynamics.
authors: Center for Nanoscale Materials, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, Illinois 60439, USA.
authors: Dario
authors: D
authors: Antonio
authors: Center for Nanoscale Materials, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, Illinois 60439, USA.
authors: David A
authors: DA
authors: Czaplewski
authors: Center for Nanoscale Materials, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, Illinois 60439, USA.
authors: Jeffrey R
authors: JR
authors: Guest
authors: Center for Nanoscale Materials, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, Illinois 60439, USA.
authors: Daniel
authors: D
authors: López
authors: Centro Atómico Bariloche and Instituto Balseiro, 8400 Bariloche, Río Negro, Argentina.
authors: Sebastián I
authors: SI
authors: Arroyo
authors: Centro Atómico Bariloche and Instituto Balseiro, 8400 Bariloche, Río Negro, Argentina.
authors: Damián H
authors: DH
authors: Zanette