Ellen Zheng | Searcharxiv

arXiv2026

Characterizing Multimode Effects in a Guided Matterwave Gyroscope

We theoretically investigate the performance of a compact matterwave vortex gyroscope formed by a two-component Bose-Einstein condensate in a toroidal potential. Unlike conventional atomic gyroscopes that rely on the Sagnac effect, the topological stability of the vortex state yields rotation sensitivity independent of the enclosed area, making the device robust against geometric drifts. Using fully quantum multimode simulations, we quantify two interaction-driven mechanisms that degrade performance: phase diffusion from one-axis-twisting and four-wave mixing from intercomponent scattering. We identify regimes where tuning interaction and trapping parameters produces a trade-off between these effects, and find that reducing the intercomponent scattering length can counterintuitively worsen sensitivity. Finally, we compare the vortex gyroscope to a guided Sagnac interferometer, demonstrating superior scaling, establishing it as a promising candidate for compact precision rotation sensing.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2023

Self-oscillation and Synchronisation Transitions in Elasto-Active Structures

The interplay between activity and elasticity often found in active and living systems triggers a plethora of autonomous behaviors ranging from self-assembly and collective motion to actuation. Amongst these, spontaneous self-oscillations of mechanical structures is perhaps the simplest and most wide-spread type of non-equilibrium phenomenon. Yet, we lack experimental model systems to investigate the various dynamical phenomena that may appear. Here, we report self-oscillation and synchronization transitions in a centimeter-sized model system for one-dimensional elasto-active structures. By combining precision-desktop experiments of elastically coupled self-propelled particles with numerical simulations and analytical perturbative theory, we demonstrate that the dynamics of single chain follows a Hopf bifurcation. We show that this instability is controlled by a single non-dimensional elasto-active number that quantifies the interplay between activity and elasticity. Finally, we demonstrate that pairs of coupled elasto-active chains can undergo a synchronization transition: the oscillations phases of both chains lock when the coupling link is sufficiently stiff. Beyond the canonical case considered here, we anticipate our work to open avenues for the understanding and design of the self-organisation and response of active artificial and biological solids, e.g. in higher dimensions and for more intricate geometries.

cond-mat.soft↗