Nonlinear dynamic response of beam and its application in nanomechanical resonator

Abstract

Nonlinear dynamic response of nanomechanical resonator is of very important characteristics in its application. Two categories of the tension-dominant and curvature-dominant nonlinearities are analyzed. The dynamic nonlinearity of four beam structures of nanomechanical resonator is quantitatively studied via a dimensional analysis approach. The dimensional analysis shows that for the nanomechanical resonator of tension-dominant nonlinearity, its dynamic nonlinearity decreases monotonically with increasing axial loading and increases monotonically with the increasing aspect ratio of length to thickness; the dynamic nonlinearity can only result in the hardening effects. However, for the nanomechanical resonator of the curvature-dominant nonlinearity, its dynamic nonlinearity is only dependent on axial loading. Compared with the tension-dominant nonlinearity, the curvature-dominant nonlinearity increases monotonically with increasing axial loading; its dynamic nonlinearity can result in both hardening and softening effects. The analysis on the dynamic nonlinearity can be very helpful to the tuning application of the nanomechanical resonator.