Opto-thermally excited multimode parametric resonance in graphene membranes

Abstract

In the field of nanomechanics, parametric excitations are of interest since they can greatly enhance sensing capabilities and eliminate cross-talk. Above a certain threshold of the parametric pump, the mechanical resonator can be brought into parametric resonance. Here we demonstrate parametric resonance of suspended single-layer graphene membranes by an efficient opto-thermal drive that modulates the intrinsic spring constant. With a large amplitude of the optical drive, a record number of 14 mechanical modes can be brought into parametric resonance by modulating a single parameter: the pre-tension. A detailed analysis of the parametric resonance allows us to study nonlinear dynamics and the loss tangent of graphene resonators. It is found that nonlinear damping, of the van der Pol type, is essential to describe the high amplitude parametric resonance response in atomically thin membranes.

Phase Control of Self-Excited Parametric Resonators

“…The nonlinear damping is believed to arise from tension in the sense beam and can be increased by reducing its length. Analogous nonlinear damping has been observed in doubly clamped beams [45,[69][70][71][72], guitar strings [16], carbon nanotubes [73], and graphene [64,[73][74][75][76]. Figure 4 plots the measured frequency-controlled parametric resonance sweeps for devices with η < η 0 and η > η 0 , which confirms the change in sign of the phase slope in Fig.…”

“…This relationship holds for the hardening case (α > 0) as well, where the stable-branch phase slope is negative unless the (negative) nonlinear damping is decreased below the critical value. MEM and NEM resonators provide an excellent platform for confirming these dynamics because beams and membranes exhibit intrinsic nonlinear damping and electric fields can be applied to tune α. Parametric resonance has been demonstrated in many devices with η < η 0 ( [12,13,19,58,[60][61][62]) as well as η > η 0 ( [63,64]). We tune the intrinsic nonlinear damping and Duffing nonlinearity in MEM resonators to observe both regimes and demonstrate closed-loop stabilization of the unstable branch.…”

Nanoelectromechanical Sensors Based on Suspended 2D Materials

“…Actuation methods for 2D membranes include electrostatic actuation, opto- or electrothermal actuation [ 21 , 175 – 178 ], hydraulic pumping [ 179 ], mechanical amplification [ 180 ], and piezoelectric excitation [ 180 , 181 ]. In general, for realizing most types of sensors concepts, the challenge is more in the readout than in the actuation.…”

Large Suspended Monolayer and Bilayer Graphene Membranes with Diameter up to 750 µm

“…Graphene films have raised lot of attention in the past 15 years due to their outstanding material properties. In particular, given the combination of mechanical and electrical properties, these films are very promising for micro-and nano-electromechanical systems (MEMS & NEMS) and their applications [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14] . Most of the studies on graphene are usually performed on supporting substrates such as SiO 2 /Si.…”