Parametric amplification in a torsional microresonator

We observe parametric amplification in a torsional micron-scale mechanical resonator. An applied voltage is used to make a dynamic change to the torsional spring constant. Oscillating the spring constant at twice the resonant frequency results in a phase dependent amplification of the resonant motion. Our results agree well with the theory of parametric amplification. By taking swept frequency measurements, we observe interesting structure in the resonant response curves. (C) 2000 American Institute of Physics. [S0003-6951(00)05036-1].