Multimode characterization of an optical-beam-deflection setup

Optical beam deflection is a popular method to measure the deformation of micromechanical devices. As it measures mostly a local slope, its sensitivity depends on the location and size of the optical spot. We present a method to evaluate precisely these parameters, using the relative amplitude of the thermal noise-induced vibrations. With a case study of a microcantilever, we demonstrate the accuracy of the approach, as well as its ability to fully characterize the sensitivity of the detector and the parameters (mass and stiffness) of the resonator.