MECHANICAL RESONATOR WITH A SPRING-MASS SYSTEM COMPRISING A PHASE-CHANGE MATERIAL
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Abstract
A mechanical resonator includes a spring-mass system, wherein the spring-mass system comprises a phase-change material. The mechanical resonator typically comprises an electrical circuit portion, coupled to the phase-change material to alter a phase configuration within the phase-change material. Methods of operation are also disclosed.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1-14. -14. (canceled)
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2. The mechanical resonator of claim 1, wherein the mechanical resonator further comprises an electrical circuit portion, coupled to the phase-change material to alter a phase configuration within the phase-change material.
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3. The mechanical resonator of claim 2, wherein the electrical circuit portion electrically connects to the phase-change material, such that the phase configuration of the phase-change material can be altered by Joule heating, by supplying electric current to the phase-change material.
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4. The mechanical resonator of claim 2, wherein the electrical circuit portion comprises a heating element, arranged in thermal communication with the phase-change material, such that the phase configuration of the phase-change material can be altered by supplying electric current to the heating element, via the electric circuit portion, to heat the phase-change material.
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5. The mechanical resonator of claim 1, wherein the spring-mass system comprises:
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a movable mass; and a spring part, the latter comprising the phase-change material, wherein the movable mass is connected to a fixed part of the resonator, via the spring part.
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6. The mechanical resonator of claim 1, wherein the spring-mass system comprises:
- a spring-mass part which comprises the phase-change material, wherein the spring-mass part is connected to a fixed part of the resonator.
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7. The mechanical resonator of claim 1, wherein the phase-change material comprises at least one of:
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Ge2Sb2Te5; GeTe; AgInSbTe; SnTe; and Sb.
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8. The mechanical resonator of claim 7, wherein the phase-change material is such that a phase configuration thereof can be altered to change a resonance frequency of the spring-mass system by at least 10%.
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9. The mechanical resonator of claim 1, wherein the spring-mass system comprises a composite beam, the latter comprising the phase-change material and another material.
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10. An apparatus, comprising:
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a mechanical resonator, in turn comprising a spring-mass system, wherein the spring-mass system comprises a phase-change material; and a laser, the latter configured in the apparatus for altering a phase configuration of the phase-change material of the mechanical resonator.
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11. An electronic device, comprising:
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a mechanical resonator, in turn comprising a spring-mass system, wherein the spring-mass system comprises a phase-change material; and means for altering a phase configuration of the phase-change material, said means for altering the phase configuration of the phase-change material comprising a power supply to supply electric energy to an electrical circuit portion coupled to the phase-change material to electrically alter the phase configuration of the phase-change material.
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12. The electronic device of claim 11, wherein said device further comprises a fine-tuning mechanism, which can be operated distinctly from said means for altering the phase configuration of the phase-change material, for fine tuning a resonance frequency of the spring.
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13. The electronic device of claim 11, wherein said device is a clock generator.
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14. The electronic device of claim 11, wherein said device is an electronic filter.
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15. A method for tuning a resonance frequency of a spring-mass system of a mechanical resonator comprising a spring-mass system, wherein the spring-mass system comprises a phase-change material, the method comprising:
- altering a phase configuration of the phase-change material to tune the resonance frequency to a desired value.
- View Dependent Claims (1, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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15-1. A method for tuning a resonance frequency of a spring-mass system of a mechanical resonator comprising a spring-mass system, wherein the spring-mass system comprises a phase-change material, the method comprising:
- altering a phase configuration of the phase-change material to tune the resonance frequency to a desired value.
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16-1. The method of claim 15, wherein altering the phase configuration of the phase-change material comprises electrically altering the phase configuration of the phase-change material.
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17-1. The method of claim 16, wherein the phase configuration of the phase-change material is electrically altered by Joule heating.
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18-1. The method of claim 16, wherein the phase configuration of the phase-change material is electrically altered by electrically heating a heating element in thermal communication with the phase-change material.
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19-1. The method of claim 15, wherein altering the phase configuration of the phase-change material is performed by applying one or more laser pulses to the phase-change material.
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20-1. The method of claim 15, wherein altering the phase configuration of the phase-change material is performed so as to change the resonance frequency of the spring-mass system by at least 10%.
Specification