Abstract: An exemplary inventive subordinate oscillator array (SOA) includes two or more vibration attenuation devices (oscillators) that are sequentially arranged (e.g., via beams in the SOA) so that their respective anti-vibratory influences overlap. To design the SOA, an optimal number N of oscillators is calculated according to the equation N=?Q?, where ? is the modal overlap, Q is the quality factor, and ? is the desired fractional bandwidth. Each oscillator is akin to a conventional dynamic vibration absorber (DVA) and is characterized by its own mass, stiffness, damping, and geometry (e.g., length, width, and height). The respective characteristics of the oscillators are selected and the oscillators are distributed so that the SOA, when suitably attached to a vibrative structure, attenuates the vibrations of the structure so as to approximately flatten the structure's vibrations over a frequency band of interest.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the amount of motion of the surface of a microscopic object includes a light source, an optical fiber for transmitting the light, and a collection objective. The optical fiber emits the light output through an aperture tapered to a diameter in the range of from 20 nm to 200 nm. The collection objective is positioned to receive both the direct component of the fiber light output and the Doppler-shifted reflected light of the fiber light output from the surface of the object. The direct component and the Doppler-shifted reflected light combine in the collection objective to form an interfered light signal that is output to a photo-receiver. The intensity of the interfered light signal is modulated by the relative phase shift between the two interfering beams and is proportional to the out-of-plane displacement caused by the surface motion of the object surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the amount of motion of the surface of a microscopic object includes a light source, an optical fiber for transmitting the light, and a collection objective. The optical fiber emits the light output through an aperture tapered to a diameter in the range of from 20 nm to 200 nm. The collection objective is positioned to receive both the direct component of the fiber light output and the Doppler-shifted reflected light of the fiber light output from the surface of the object. The direct component and the Doppler-shifted reflected light combine in the collection objective to form an interfered light signal that is output to a photo-receiver. The intensity of the interfered light signal is modulated by the relative phase shift between the two interfering beams and is proportional to the out-of-plane displacement caused by the surface motion of the object surface.