The University of Tokyo · Physics and Astronomy
Professor K. Komori's research lab specializes in precision measurement science and nanomechanical systems, focusing on fundamental limits to sensitivity in gravitational-wave detection and quantum optomechanics. The lab investigates thermal and quantum noise in ultra-sensitive mechanical oscillators, particularly in cryogenic and nonequilibrium conditions, to enable tabletop tests of gravity and macroscopic quantum phenomena. It also explores advanced surface engineering, such as diamond-like carbon and DLC-based coatings, to control friction and wear in mechanical systems for improved performance in precision instruments and automotive applications.
Figures are computed from collected data and may differ slightly.
Precise measurements of the displacement of, and force acting on, a mechanical oscillator can be performed by coupling the oscillator to an optical cavity. Brownian thermal forces represent a fundamental limit to measurement sensitivity which impedes the ability to use precise force measurements as a tool of fundamental enquiry, particularly in the context of macroscopic quantum measurements and tabletop gravitational experiments. A torsion pendulum with a low mechanical resonant frequency can b
In this study, we investigated tribological properties of “tetrahedral” Si-containing hydrogenated DLC coating (TMS coating) during sliding against steel or cast-iron lubricated with engine-oil containing MoDTC and ZnDTP additives. TMS coatings derived from only tetramethylsilane were prepared using PACVD with high-bias process. TMS coating had the highly carbon sp3 bonded structure induced by Si (over 20 at.%) with high hydrogen content (30 at.%). TOF-SIMS analysis showed that TMS coating could
The test mass suspensions of cryogenic gravitational-wave detectors such as the KAGRA project are tasked with extracting the heat deposited on the optics. These suspensions have a nonuniform temperature, requiring the calculation of thermal noise in nonequilibrium conditions. While it is not possible to describe the whole suspension system with one temperature, the local temperature at every point in the system is still well defined. We therefore generalize the application of the fluctuation-dis
<div class="section abstract"><div class="htmlview paragraph">Research to respond to demands for improving usability of passenger vehicles has played important roles. Some aspects can be attributed to friction behavior of the steering and suspension components. In this study, we focus on an approach to improve handling, steering feel and ride-comfort of a vehicle by applying the appropriate friction behavior to tie-rod end ball joint. To control not only friction coefficient but also
Quantum vacuum fluctuations fundamentally limit the precision of optical measurements, such as those in gravitational-wave detectors. The injection of a conventional squeezed vacuum can be used to reduce quantum noise in the readout quadrature, but this reduction is at the cost of increasing noise in the orthogonal quadrature. For detectors near the limits imposed by quantum radiation pressure noise (QRPN), both quadratures impact the measurement, and the benefits of conventional squeezing are l
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