The first adaptive feedback circuit capable of detecting resonant frequencies for a wide range of MEMS resonators is presented. The feedback system presented implements a hill-climbing algorithm that sweeps actuation frequencies, locking onto the resonance condition at maximum cantilever amplitude response without limitations on the frequency range. To demonstrate its adaptability, a circuit im...

We demonstrate the operation of radio frequency nanoscale flexural resonators in air and liquid. Doubly clamped string, as well as singly clamped cantilever resonators, with nanoscale cross-sectional dimensions and resonant frequencies as high as 145 MHz are driven in air as well as liquid with an amplitude modulated laser. We show that this laser drive technique can impart sufficient energy to...

The atomic force microscope (AFM) is a versatile, high-resolution tool used to characterize the topography and material properties of a large variety of specimens at nano-scale. The interaction of the micro-cantilever tip with the specimen causes cantilever deflections that are measured by an optical sensing mechanism and subsequently utilized to construct the sample topography. Recent years ha...

Advances in nano-fabrication techniques has made it feasible to observe damping phenomena beyond the linear regime nano-mechanical systems. In this work, we report cubic non-linear palladium resonators. Nano-scale beams exposed a $H_2$ atmosphere become softer and display enhanced Duffing non-linearity as well at ultra low temperatures. The is highest lowest temperatures of $\sim 110\: mK$ decr...

We consider frequency fluctuations in self-sustained oscillators based on nonlinear underdamped resonators. An important type of such resonators are nano- and micro-electro-mechanical systems. Various noise sources considered, with the emphasis fundamentally unavoidable that comes along dissipation from coupling to a thermal reservoir. The formulation terms action-angle variables resonator allo...

Thermal noise spectra of nanomechanical resonators are used widely to characterize their physical properties. These spectra typically exhibit a Lorentzian response, with additional white noise due to extraneous processes. Least-squares fits of these measurements enable extraction of key parameters of the resonator, including its resonant frequency, quality factor, and stiffness. Here, we presen...

Supplementary Figure S1. Complete mapping of datapoints and references of Figure 1 in the main text. 1. Chaste, J. et al. A nanomechanical mass sensor with yoctogram resolution. Nat. Nanotechnol. 7, 301–304 (2012). After annealing 2. Chaste, J. et al. A nanomechanical mass sensor with yoctogram resolution. Nat. Nanotechnol. 7, 301–304 (2012). Before annealing 3. Jensen, K., Kim, K. & Zettl, A. ...