Experimental validation of a novel characterization procedure based on fast sweep measurements for linear resonators with a large time constant

• A fast characterization procedure for linear resonators with a large quality factor or a low resonant frequency is experimentally validated. • A statistical analysis of 450 ring-down measurements is performed and compared to 450 fast frequency sweeps with different durations. • The precision and accuracy of the estimations obtained from the two sets of experiments are compared, and simulations are provided. • Fast sweeps are proven to be competitive with ring-down measurements, if synchronization-related biases are properly limited. This paper provides the first statistically validated experimental demonstration of a novel characterization procedure based on fast frequency sweeps. A MEMS structure with a time constant of several seconds is characterized in linear regime under mechanical actuation and optical detection of its motion. 450 series of fast sweeps are analyzed with different sweep durations to evaluate the precision and accuracy of the proposed approach compared to 450 traditional ring-down measurements. Our study shows that an estimation based on fast frequency sweeps in not only possible but even a competitive approach to estimate the parameters of a linear resonator with limited practical means. The precision and accuracy of this approach demonstrate its relevance.