Measuring Quality Factor From a Nonlinear Frequency Response With Jump Discontinuities

The convenient half-power bandwidth formula used for measurement of quality factor Q does not apply for nonlinear systems that have jump discontinuities in their frequency responses, since one of the half-power amplitudes is not observable. This paper shows alternatives to the half-power formula that do apply to such nonlinear systems, while preserving all of the convenience of the method. Their practical use is illustrated by experimental Q measurements for a microelectromechanical systems scanning mirror.