Understanding the Quality Factor of Mass-Loaded Tensioned Resonators

Mass-loaded tensioned microresonators are important in mass-dependent applications like inertial sensing and fundamental research e.g. quantum gravity, as they combine superb displacement detection with low mechanical dissipation. However, loading a resonator often changes its mode structure enhances loss. The authors study the effect of on quality factor, varying load from much smaller to larger than resonator's total mass. Surprisingly, factor becomes independent mass large-load regime, which explains previous related results provides fresh perspective for design.