Adiabatic Monoparametric Autonomous Motors Enabled by Self-Induced Nonconservative Forces

KURNOSOV, ARKADY; FERNÁNDEZ-ALCÁZAR, LUCAS J.; BUSTOS-MARÚN, RAÚL; KOTTOS, TSAMPIKOS

Physical Review Applied

American Physical Society

Año: 2022 vol. 18

Archetypal motors produce work when two slowly varying degrees of freedom (DOF) move around a closed loop of finite area in the parameter space. Here, instead, we propose a simple autonomous monoparametric optomechanical engine that utilizes nonlinearities to turn a constant energy current into a nonconservative mechanical force. The latter self-sustains the periodic motion of a mechanical DOF whose frequency is orders of magnitude smaller than the photonic DOF. We identify conditions under which the maximum extracted mechanical power is invariant and show self-induced robustness of the power production against imperfections and driving noise.