Research // Theme 05 — Sensing + Theory

Precision Sensors & Theory

Precision sensing in collaboration with our spin-out enthrophy.com, alongside theoretical work on optomechanical dynamics, non-linear resonators, and analogue cosmology.

The same techniques that allow us to cool a mechanical resonator into its quantum ground state, or to read out a superfluid mode at the standard quantum limit, translate directly into precision sensing — for inertial measurement, weak forces, and material characterisation. Alongside the experimental programme, we maintain a focus on theory: optomechanical dynamics, non-linear resonators, and the analogue-gravity correspondences underlying our experimental work.

On the applied side, we collaborate with our spin-out enthrophy.com to translate laboratory-grade precision sensing into deployable instruments. The aim is to take measurement chains that have been demonstrated in dilution refrigerators and engineer them into compact, robust hardware for industrial and scientific use — bridging the gap between research-grade sensitivity and fielded sensors.

On the theoretical side, our interests cluster around three areas: the dynamics of non-linear cavity-optomechanical systems beyond the linearised regime; the modelling of acoustic non-linearities in superfluid sonic crystals; and the mapping between superfluid hydrodynamics and the curved-space field theory underlying analogue gravity. The aim is not to do theory in isolation, but to build models that the experiments can directly test.

Spin-out · enthrophy.com
enthrophy.com
Spin-out · Precision Sensors

Translating laboratory-grade precision measurement into deployable, robust hardware for industrial and scientific applications.

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Theory Directions
  • Beyond-linear regimes of microwave cavity optomechanics
  • Acoustic non-linearities in superfluid sonic-crystal resonators
  • Field-theoretic models of analogue spacetimes carried by superfluid flows
  • Theoretical limits on precision and back-action evasion in optomechanical sensors
Selected Publications
08
Beyond linear coupling in microwave optomechanics
D. Cattiaux, X. Zhou, S. Kumar, et al.
Physical Review Research 2, 033480 (2020)
09
Geometrical Nonlinearity of Circular Plates and Membranes
D. Cattiaux, S. Kumar, et al.
Journal of Applied Physics 128, 104501 (2020)
02
Nano-beam clamping revisited
I. Golokolenov, Sumit Kumar, et al.
Journal of Applied Physics 133.12, 124302 (2023)
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Other Research