Force sensing with an optically levitated charged nanoparticle

Hempston, D., Vovrosh, J., Toros, M. , Winstone, G., Rashid, M. and Ulbricht, H. (2017) Force sensing with an optically levitated charged nanoparticle. Applied Physics Letters, 111(13), 133111. (doi: 10.1063/1.4993555)

Abstract

Levitated optomechanics is showing potential for precise force measurements. Here, we report a case study to show experimentally the capacity of such a force sensor, using an electric field as a tool to detect a Coulomb force applied onto a levitated nanosphere. We experimentally observe the spatial displacement of up to 6.6 nm of the levitated nanosphere by imposing a DC field. We further apply an AC field and demonstrate resonant enhancement of force sensing when a driving frequency, ωAC, and the frequency of the levitated mechanical oscillator, ω0, converge. We directly measure a force of 3.0 ± 1.5 × 10–20 N with 10 s integration time, at a centre of mass temperature of 3 K and at a pressure of 1.6 × 10–5 mbar.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Toros, Dr Marko
• Authors: Hempston, D., Vovrosh, J., Toros, M., Winstone, G., Rashid, M., and Ulbricht, H.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Physics and Astronomy
• Journal Name: Applied Physics Letters
• Publisher: AIP Publishing
• ISSN: 0003-6951
• ISSN (Online): 1077-3118
• Published Online: 28 September 2017
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2017 Author(s)
• First Published: First published in Applied Physics Letters 111(13):133111
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy