Ph. Paul, A.W. Knoll, et al.
Nanotechnology
An all mechanical signal mixing device is described which uses only linear springs as fundamental building blocks. Two input oscillators are coupled to an orthogonally vibrating output oscillator via a linear spring, which results in an effective nonlinear multiplicative mixing function. Numerical simulations have been performed for studying the performance characteristics of the mixer. A modified version of the mixer acting as a mechanical modulator is also numerically investigated for application as a mechanical power amplifier. The viability of the concept is demonstrated in a centimeter scale experimental setup and a micromechanical scale polymer embodiment has been built using two-photon polymerization lithographic methods. © IOP Publishing Ltd and Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschan.