Light-activated self-generation and parametric amplification for MEMS oscillators

Maxim Zalalutdinov; Alan T. Zehnder; Anatoli Olkhovets; Stephen W. Turner; Lidija Sekaric; Bojan Ilic; Dave Czaplewski; Jeevak M. Parpia; Harold G. Craighead

doi:10.1117/12.443086

2 October 2001 Light-activated self-generation and parametric amplification for MEMS oscillators

Maxim Zalalutdinov, Alan T. Zehnder, Anatoli Olkhovets, Stephen W. Turner, Lidija Sekaric, Bojan Ilic, Dave Czaplewski, Jeevak M. Parpia, Harold G. Craighead

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 4561, MOEMS and Miniaturized Systems II; (2001) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.443086
Event: Micromachining and Microfabrication, 2001, San Francisco, CA, United States

Abstract

High-frequency microoptoelectromechanical systems (MOEMS) are proposed as active devices for radio frequency signal processing. Parametric amplification (PA), generation, frequency modulation and frequency conversion on the micromechanical level were demonstrated at MHz range by microfabricated single-crystal silicon mechanical resonators. A focused laser beam was used to pump energy into the motion of the oscillator, to control the frequency response and to provide a carrier signal for the frequency up-conversion. Laser light interaction with the microelectromechanical system (MEMS) was realized through the stress pattern induced within the microfabricated structure by the focused laser beam. Stress-induced stiffening of the oscillator provides control over the effective spring constant and leads to a parametric mechanism for amplification of mechanical vibrations. Periodic modulation of the laser intensity synchronized with the driving force allowed us to demonstrate a degenerate (phase-sensitive) PA scheme with gain in access of 30dB. Design of the oscillator as a part of the built-in Fabry-Perot cavity provides auto-modulation of the effective spring constant as a result of the position-dependent absorption of the light by the oscillator. The auto-modulation mechanism allows a parametric self-excitation induced by continuous wave (CW) laser beam. Self-sustained generation was observed when laser power exceeded a threshold of few hundred microWatts. Nonlinear effects cause frequency dependence vs. laser power, providing a mechanism for frequency modulation of the self-generated vibrations. The same type of optical scheme can also work as an ideal frequency mixer, which combines the self-generated response with an external high-frequency modulation of the laser intensity.

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Maxim Zalalutdinov, Alan T. Zehnder, Anatoli Olkhovets, Stephen W. Turner, Lidija Sekaric, Bojan Ilic, Dave Czaplewski, Jeevak M. Parpia, and Harold G. Craighead "Light-activated self-generation and parametric amplification for MEMS oscillators", Proc. SPIE 4561, MOEMS and Miniaturized Systems II, (2 October 2001); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.443086

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