Transition of a nanomechanical Sharvin oscillator towards the chaotic regime

Abstract

We realize a nanomechanical impact oscillator driven by a radiofrequency signal. The mechanical impact of the oscillator is demonstrated by increasing the amplitude of the external radiofrequency signals. Electron transport in the system is dramatically modified when the oscillator is strongly driven to undergo forced impacts with electrodes. We exploit this nonlinear kind of electron transport to observe the current response in the chaotic regime. Our model adopting the Sharvin conductance at the moment of impact provides a description of the rectified current via the impact oscillator in the linear regime, revealing a path towards chaos.