Characterization of the ABEL trap for applications in Levitodynamics

**Characterization of the ABEL trap for applications in Levitodynamics – A master project in the Nanophotonic Systems Laboratory (NSL)** We are looking for a curious and motivated master student, who wants to join our young & international NSL group and investigates the possibilities of a new type of hybrid trap for levitated nanoparticles. **Project background:** Optical levitation of nanoparticles is a young field of optomechanics. In recent years, this dynamic field of Levitodynamics has looked for alternative trapping mechanisms. The usually used optical tweezers produce high optical intensities in the trap center and can therefore cause photo damage or similar. Most of the current efforts to avoid high intensities with passive dark potentials like Paul traps. Instead, we realize an ABEL trap based on active feedback. In our experiments, we trap silica nanoparticles in optical tweezers and study their dynamics. In order to control the particles motion at ultrahigh vacuum conditions, we apply active feedback by applying the Coulomb force on charged nanoparticles through electric fields. **Project description:** Your project aims at the implementation and characterization of the ABEL trap, realized by applying an additional position dependent force on the particle, for various pressures and materials. You will investigate the minimal optical intensities that still trap reliably under active feedback. Your work will be mainly experimental. **Working in our group:** We offer you close supervision through PhD and Postdocs but also expect that you work independently. In your project, you will get into contact with a multitude of technologies like optics, lasers, electronics, data evaluation and vacuum technology among others. If we sparked your interest, contact us nmeyer@ethz.ch or rquidant@ethz.ch

**Characterization of the ABEL trap for applications in Levitodynamics – A master project in the Nanophotonic Systems Laboratory (NSL)**

We are looking for a curious and motivated master student, who wants to join our young & international NSL group and investigates the possibilities of a new type of hybrid trap for levitated nanoparticles.

**Project background:**
Optical levitation of nanoparticles is a young field of optomechanics. In recent years, this dynamic field of Levitodynamics has looked for alternative trapping mechanisms. The usually used optical tweezers produce high optical intensities in the trap center and can therefore cause photo damage or similar. Most of the current efforts to avoid high intensities with passive dark potentials like Paul traps. Instead, we realize an ABEL trap based on active feedback.
In our experiments, we trap silica nanoparticles in optical tweezers and study their dynamics. In order to control the particles motion at ultrahigh vacuum conditions, we apply active feedback by applying the Coulomb force on charged nanoparticles through electric fields.

**Project description:**
Your project aims at the implementation and characterization of the ABEL trap, realized by applying an additional position dependent force on the particle, for various pressures and materials. You will investigate the minimal optical intensities that still trap reliably under active feedback. Your work will be mainly experimental.

**Working in our group:**
We offer you close supervision through PhD and Postdocs but also expect that you work independently. In your project, you will get into contact with a multitude of technologies like optics, lasers, electronics, data evaluation and vacuum technology among others.

If we sparked your interest, contact us nmeyer@ethz.ch or rquidant@ethz.ch

Proof of principle of an ABEL trap for levitated nanoparticles

Proof of principle of an ABEL trap for levitated nanoparticles

nmeyer@ethz.ch

nmeyer@ethz.ch