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Controlling complex dynamics with synthetic magnetism in optomechanical systems: A route to enhanced sensor performance

Deivasundari Muthukumar1, Stella Rolande Mbokop Tchounda2, Sifeu Takougang Kingni3,*, Karthikeyan Rajagopal1,4, and Serge Guy Nana Engo2

  • *Contact author: sifeu.takougang@facsciences-uy1.cm, stkingni@gmail.com
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Phys. Rev. Applied 24, 014053 – Published 29 July, 2025

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/f6sv-4fq9

Abstract

This paper investigates the complex nonlinear dynamics of an optomechanical system featuring an optical cavity coupled to two mechanical resonators interconnected by a phase-dependent interaction. We specifically explore the role of this phase-dependent phonon hopping as a mechanism for generating synthetic gauge fields without relying on gain-loss or PT-symmetric elements, offering a potentially more robust approach to manipulating mechanical energy transfer. By deriving the semiclassical dynamical equations, we map out the system’s behavior across different parameter regimes. Our findings reveal a rich spectrum of dynamics, including bistability (the coexistence of two steady states) and the emergence of complex attractors such as self-excited oscillations, hidden attractors, and chaos. We demonstrate how controlling system parameters, particularly the mechanical coupling phase and optical drive, allows for tunability between these distinct dynamical states. The presence of tunable bistability and sensitive chaotic regimes offers significant potential for practical applications. Specifically, we discuss how these controlled dynamics could be leveraged for state switching in optical information processing and for enhancing sensitivity in advanced sensor technologies through chaos-based mechanisms. This work deepens our understanding of how synthetic gauge fields, generated via phase-dependent interactions, can sculpt the nonlinear dynamics of optomechanical systems, providing a pathway toward designing robust and tunable devices for signal processing, communication, and sensing.

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Phys. Rev. Applied 24, 014053– Published 29 July, 2025
  • Received 28 February 2025
  • Revised 22 May 2025
  • Accepted 2 July 2025
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Published by the American Physical Society under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license. Further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the published article’s title, journal citation, and DOI.

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