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Tweezer arrays for quantum optomechanics
Optomechanics with levitated nanoparticles is a fast-growing field in physics which has recently shown promise towards investigating macroscopic quantum physics. The next generation of experiments, such as probing quantum entanglement and self-organisation, will rely on scaling up the system.
Optomechanics with levitated nanoparticles is a fast-growing field in physics which has recently
shown promise towards investigating macroscopic quantum physics and developing quantum technology. By optically trapping and levitating a single nanosphere in ultrahigh vacuum (see figure) and placing it in a cavity, the mechanical motion of the particle can be cooled to its quantum ground state [1,2]. The next generation of experiments, such as probing quantum entanglement and self-organisation, will rely on scaling up the system to multiple particles and engineering interactions between them.
The goal of the proposed project is to generate multiple optical traps with full individual control over power, position and phase, and load nanoparticles into them. Firstly, this will involve characterizing and building an optical setup with AODs (Acousto-Optical Deflectors) or SLMs (Spatial Light Modulators) to generate homogeneous programmable tweezers [3,4]. Then, multiple nanoparticles will be loaded into the traps using a microscopic objective. Finally, the setup will directly be incorporated into the main experiment, and enable the probing of quantum properties of multiple interacting nanoparticles.
As a prerequisite, you are expected to have some experience working in a laboratory and basic programming skills. During the project, you will learn how to work with complex optical systems, program and characterize an AOD or SLM, generate arbitrary tweezer arrays, and optically trap multiple nanoparticles in ultra-high vacuum.
References:
[1]: Windey, D., et al ., Physical Review Letters 122, 123601 (2019)
[2]: Delić, U., et al ., Science 367.6480, 892–895 (2020)
[3]: Endres, M. et al ., Science 354, 1024-1027 (2016)
[4]: Labuhn, H. et al ., Nature 534, 667-670 (2016)
Optomechanics with levitated nanoparticles is a fast-growing field in physics which has recently shown promise towards investigating macroscopic quantum physics and developing quantum technology. By optically trapping and levitating a single nanosphere in ultrahigh vacuum (see figure) and placing it in a cavity, the mechanical motion of the particle can be cooled to its quantum ground state [1,2]. The next generation of experiments, such as probing quantum entanglement and self-organisation, will rely on scaling up the system to multiple particles and engineering interactions between them. The goal of the proposed project is to generate multiple optical traps with full individual control over power, position and phase, and load nanoparticles into them. Firstly, this will involve characterizing and building an optical setup with AODs (Acousto-Optical Deflectors) or SLMs (Spatial Light Modulators) to generate homogeneous programmable tweezers [3,4]. Then, multiple nanoparticles will be loaded into the traps using a microscopic objective. Finally, the setup will directly be incorporated into the main experiment, and enable the probing of quantum properties of multiple interacting nanoparticles. As a prerequisite, you are expected to have some experience working in a laboratory and basic programming skills. During the project, you will learn how to work with complex optical systems, program and characterize an AOD or SLM, generate arbitrary tweezer arrays, and optically trap multiple nanoparticles in ultra-high vacuum.
References: [1]: Windey, D., et al ., Physical Review Letters 122, 123601 (2019) [2]: Delić, U., et al ., Science 367.6480, 892–895 (2020) [3]: Endres, M. et al ., Science 354, 1024-1027 (2016) [4]: Labuhn, H. et al ., Nature 534, 667-670 (2016)
The goal of the proposed project is to generate multiple optical traps with full individual control over power, position and phase, and load nanoparticles into them.
The goal of the proposed project is to generate multiple optical traps with full individual control over power, position and phase, and load nanoparticles into them.
Dr. Jayadev Vijayan ( jvijayan@ethz.ch ), Prof. Lukas Novotny ( lnovotny@ethz.ch )
Dr. Jayadev Vijayan ( jvijayan@ethz.ch ), Prof. Lukas Novotny ( lnovotny@ethz.ch )