Nonlinear micromechanical Casimir oscillator

The effect of Casimir force on the dynamic properties of a nonlinear micromechanical oscillator was studied. The Casimir force occurs between uncharged metallic surfaces due to quantum-mechanical zero-point fluctuations of electromagnetic field. Quantum electrodynamical effect on the oscillatory behavior of microstructures with surfaces in close proximity was analyzed. Results indicated the existence of frequency shifts, hysteresis and bistability due to Casimir force in the frequency response of a periodically driven micromachined torsional oscillator.