Work

Dynamical slowing-down in the phase-space of nanomechanical strings

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: The linear behavior of micro- and nanomechanical devices has been the topic of intense study over the past years. Their nonlinear behavior, on the other hand, continues to provide new and interesting dynamics. This work leverages a cavity opto-mechanical system whose very high sensitivity and low dissipation rate allows to capture the dynamics of fast transients that occur when strongly-driven nonlinear resonators relax to their equilibrium state. We experimentally study the ringdown dynamics of a nanomechanical Duffing resonator in both the time domain and in phase space. The resonator exhibits very different ringdown dynamics depending on whether it is subject to one or two tone driving. In the former case the ringdown follows a regular exponential decay, whereas the latter case shows exotic dynamics such as libration, slowing-down while scattering in phase-space, and ghost slowing-down. We demonstrate that this distinct difference can be attributed to the structure of the phase space itself. Surprisingly, we find that the energy in the resonator changes non-monotonously and that long delay between turning off the drive and the decay of the motion amplitude results in dynamical meta-states.

Source: Physical Review Research

DOI: 10.1103/ynnb-2bv5

Authors: Samer Houri, Agnes Zinth, Menno Poot

Language: English

Topic: Material Dynamics and Properties

Subfield: Materials Chemistry

Field: Materials Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,625

Funders: European Commission, Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, Institute for Advanced Study, Technische Universität München

Awards: G1768993395, TUM-IAS Fellowships for the cooperative development of high risk new fields in technology and science, G7874306525, EXC 2111: Munich Center for Quantum Science and Technology (MCQST)