A Nanoscale Parametric Feedback Oscillator

Abstract

We describe and demonstrate a new oscillator topology, the parametric feedback oscillator (PFO). The PFO paradigm is applicable to a wide variety of nanoscale devices, and opens the possibility of new classes of oscillators employing innovative frequency-determining elements, like such as nanoelectromechanical systems (NEMS), facilitating integration with circuitry, and reduction in cost and system size reduction. We show that the PFO topology can also improve nanoscale oscillator performance by circumventing detrimental effects that are otherwise imposed by the strong device nonlinearity in this size regime.