Mass Loaded Tensioned Mechanical Resonators

Undergraduate Honors Thesis

Citations

Citeable URL: https://scholar.colorado.edu/concern/undergraduate_honors_theses/sf268662b

Abstract

Highly tensioned micromechanical and nanomechanical resonators have enabled novel experiments in quantum optomechanics and numerous applications in the field of precision sensing. This is in part due to engineering efforts that have allowed for resonator modes with ultrahigh quality factors. Typically, sensing applications require functionalizing resonators by adding local mass to them. However, this may dramatically lower the resonator mode quality factor, and hence its sensitivity. This thesis studies the effect of a local mass load on the shape and quality factor of a tensioned resonator mode. Through analytical models, finite element analysis, and tabletop experiments, we show that in the limit of a large mass load, the resonator mode quality factor saturates. This effect paves the way for engineering resonators with improved sensitivity for certain applications such as magnetic force detection, accelerometry, and gravitational force sensing.

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