Erlangen 2022 – scientific programme

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Q: Fachverband Quantenoptik und Photonik

Q 40: Optomechanics and Photonics

Q 40.3: Poster

Wednesday, March 16, 2022, 16:30–18:30, P

Force measurements with nanoparticles in microgravity — •Vincent Hock, Govindarajan Prakash, Marian Woltmann, Sven Herrmann, Claus Lämmerzahl, and Christian Vogt — Universität Bremen, ZARM (Zentrum für angewandte Raumfahrttechnologie und Mikrogravitation

Optically trapped levitated nanoparticles are well suited to measure tiny and/or small range forces. Due to efficient cooling methods, they can be prepared in the motional ground state [1] allowing for precise spatial control. In addition, their position can be continuously determined with very high precision.
By observing the free evolution of a test particle in a force field one can investigate the underlying potential [2]. In a laboratory environment most measurements are dominated by gravity. Operating such a sensor in microgravity, like in the 146 m tall drop tower in Bremen, greatly increases its force sensitivity.

[1] Magrini, L. et al. Real-time optimal quantum control of mechanical motion at room temperature. Nature 595, 373-377 (2021).
[2] Hebestreit, E. et al. Sensing Static Forces with Free-Falling Nanoparticles. Phys. Rev. Lett. 121, 063602 (2018)