Quantum Optical Binding of Nanoscale Particles

TL;DR

This paper develops a quantum theory of optical binding for nanoscale particles, predicts observable quantum signatures in experiments, and explores the limitations on entanglement generation in free space.

Contribution

It introduces a quantum framework for optical binding, identifies observable quantum signatures, and proves the impossibility of entanglement in free-space optical binding.

Findings

Quantum signatures are observable in near-future experiments.

Entanglement cannot be induced by free-space optical binding.

Strategies to circumvent the no-go theorem are proposed.

Abstract

Optical binding refers to the light-induced interaction between two or more objects illuminated by laser fields. The high tunability of the strength, sign, and reciprocity of this interaction renders it highly attractive for controlling nanoscale mechanical motion. Here, we discuss the quantum theory of optical binding and identify unique signatures of this interaction in the quantum regime. We show that these signatures are observable in near-future experiments with levitated nanoparticles. In addition, we prove the impossibility of entanglement induced by far-field optical binding in free space and identify strategies to circumvent this no-go theorem.