Technological progress is achieved through the study of physical phenomena, discoveries in the quantum field and other fields. At the same time, new devices and devices are invented, through which it is possible to conduct various studies and explain the phenomena of the microworld. One of such mechanisms is a harmonic oscillator, the principle of action of which was still known by representatives of ancient civilizations.
The device and its types
A harmonic oscillator is a mechanical system in motion that is described by a linear differential equation with constant coefficients. The simplest examples of such devices are a spring load, a pendulum, acoustic systems, the movement of molecular particles, etc.
Conventionally, the following types of this device can be distinguished:
- A simple harmonic oscillator - here the system, when removed from the rest position, is under the action of the force F, which can be expressed by the formula F = -kx, where k is the stiffness coefficient of this system, x is the displacement. In this case, F is the only component affecting the oscillations.
- Linear harmonic oscillator - here the movement occurs in one plane along a straight path. This system is also called one-dimensional, oscillations occur under the action of a quasielastic force.
- Fading model - here the system is also affected by the friction force, which is directed against the movement and acts in proportion to the speed of this oscillation. The attenuation process is usually characterized by a parameter that does not have a dimension and is called the Q factor. This value is a property of the system that determines the ratio of the energy reserve to its losses during one oscillation period.
Device application
This device is used in various fields, mainly to study the nature of oscillatory systems. A quantum harmonic oscillator is used in studying the behavior of photon elements. The experimental results can be used in various fields. So, physicists from an American institute found that beryllium atoms located at fairly large distances from each other can interact at a quantum level. Moreover, the behavior of these particles is similar to bodies (metal balls) in the macrocosm moving in a translational-reverse order, similar to a harmonious oscillator. Beryllium ions, despite physically large distances, exchanged the smallest units of energy (quanta). This discovery allows us to significantly advance IT-technologies, and also gives a new solution in the production of computer equipment and electronics.
A harmonic oscillator is used in evaluating musical works. This method is called spectroscopic examination. It was established that the most stable system is a composition of four musicians (quartet). And modern works are mostly anharmonic.