Cavity-assisted manipulation of freely rotating silicon nanorods in high vacuum

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates the optical manipulation of silicon nanorods in high vacuum, enabling control over their motion and rotation, with potential applications in quantum physics and thermodynamics.

Contribution

It introduces a method to sculpt and manipulate silicon nanorods using optical forces in high vacuum, with enhanced torque effects compared to nanospheres.

Findings

Optical forces on nanorotors are three times stronger than on nanospheres of the same mass.

Successful laser-induced mechanical cleavage to launch nanorods into high vacuum.

Potential for rotational cooling and torsional opto-mechanics in a dissipation-free environment.

Abstract

Optical control of nanoscale objects has recently developed into a thriving field of research with far-reaching promises for precision measurements, fundamental quantum physics and studies on single-particle thermodynamics. Here, we demonstrate the optical manipulation of silicon nanorods in high vacuum. Initially, we sculpture these particles into a silicon substrate with a tailored geometry to facilitate their launch into high vacuum by laser-induced mechanical cleavage. We manipulate and trace their center-of-mass and rotational motion through the interaction with an intense intra-cavity field. Our experiments show optical forces on nanorotors three times stronger than on silicon nanospheres of the same mass. The optical torque experienced by the spinning rods will enable cooling of the rotational motion and torsional opto-mechanics in a dissipation-free environment.