Direct and Clean Loading of Nanoparticles into Optical Traps at Millibar Pressures

Nanoparticles levitated by optical fields under vacuum conditions have applications in quantum science, the study of nanothermodynamics and precision sensing. The existing techniques for loading optical traps require ambient conditions and often involve dispersion in liquids, which can contaminate d...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published inPhotonics Vol. 8; no. 11; p. 458
Main Authors Nikkhou, Maryam, Hu, Yanhui, Sabin, James A., Millen, James
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Basel MDPI AG 01.11.2021
Subjects
Acoustics
Lasers
levitated optomechanics
Nanoparticles
optical trapping
Optical traps
optical tweezers
Optics
optomechanics
Research methodology
Silicon wafers
Traps
Velocity
Online AccessGet full text

Cover

More Information
Summary:Nanoparticles levitated by optical fields under vacuum conditions have applications in quantum science, the study of nanothermodynamics and precision sensing. The existing techniques for loading optical traps require ambient conditions and often involve dispersion in liquids, which can contaminate delicate optics and lead to enhanced optical absorption and heating. Here, we present a clean, dry and generic mechanism for directly loading optical traps at pressures down to 1 mbar, exploiting Laser Induced Acoustic Desorption and allowing for the rapid and efficient trapping of nanoparticles.
ISSN:2304-6732
2304-6732
DOI:10.3390/photonics8110458