Tuning Among Multiple Phononic Frequency Combs By A Single-Tone Excitation Due To Period-Doubling Bifurcation

This paper, for the first time, reports the evolution and selection among multiple phononic frequency combs with distinct comb spacing ranges, using a single-tone excitation. By characterizing frequency locking and combs simultaneously, we demonstrate the existence of a forbidden zone starting at the frequency locking point before the comb turns on, and also the tuning of the frequency comb as well. It shows that sudden jumps in comb spacing occurs due to a 1:2 or 1:3 period-doubling bifurcation before entering chaos with respect to increasing excitation frequency. Such a wide tunable capability by a single tone has not been reported before and it significantly contributes to the practical usage of MEMS phononic frequency combs.