Long distance manipulation of a levitated nanoparticle in high vacuum

TL;DR

This paper introduces a new feedback-controlled optical trapping method for long-distance 3D manipulation of levitated nanoparticles in high vacuum, enabling precise delivery and potential applications in optomechanics and sensing.

Contribution

A novel feedback-controlled optical trap technique for long-range manipulation of nanoparticles in high vacuum, facilitating targeted loading into optical cavities.

Findings

Successful 3D manipulation of a silica nanoparticle in high vacuum.

Demonstrated loading of a nanoparticle into a high-finesse optical cavity.

Potential applications in optomechanics and ultrasensitive detection.

Abstract

Accurate delivery of small targets in high vacuum is a pivotal task in many branches of science and technology. Beyond the different strategies developed for atoms, proteins, macroscopic clusters and pellets, the manipulation of neutral particles over macroscopic distances still poses a formidable challenge. Here we report a novel approach based on a mobile optical trap operated under feedback control that enables long range 3D manipulation of a silica nanoparticle in high vacuum. We apply this technique to load a single nanoparticle into a high-finesse optical cavity through a load-lock vacuum system. We foresee our scheme to benefit the field of optomechanics with levitating nano-objects as well as ultrasensitive detection and monitoring.