Levitated nanoparticles are promising tools for sensing ultra-weak forces of biological, chemical or mechanical origin and even for testing the foundations of quantum physics. However, such applications require precise position measurement. Researchers at the Department of Experimental Physics of the University of Innsbruck, Austria, have now demonstrated a new technique that boosts the efficiency with which the position of a sub-micron levitated object is detected.

"Typically, we measure a nanoparticle's position with a technique called optical interferometry, in which part of the light emitted by a nanoparticle is compared with the light from a reference laser", says Lorenzo Dania, a PhD student in Tracy Northup's research group.

"A laser beam, however, has a much different shape than the light pattern emitted by a nanoparticle, known as dipole radiation." That shape difference currently limits the measurement precision.

Self-interference method
The new technique demonstrated by Tracy Northup, a professor at the University of Innsbruck, and her team resolves this limitation by replacing the laser beam with the light of the particle reflected by a mirror.

The technique builds on a method to track barium ions that has been developed in recent years by Rainer Blatt, also of the University of Innsbruck, and his team. Last year, researchers from the two teams proposed to extend this method to nanoparticles.

Now, using a nanoparticle levitated in an electromagnetic trap, the researchers showed that this method outperformed other state-of-the-art detection techniques. The result opens up new possibilities for using levitated particles as sensors - for example, to measure tiny forces - and for bringing the particles' motion into realms described by quantum mechanics.

Financial support for the research was provided, among others, by the European Union as well as by the Austrian Science Fund FWF, the Austrian Academy of Sciences and the Austrian Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research.

Research Report:Position Measurement of a Levitated Nanoparticle via Interference with Its Mirror Image

Related Links
University of Innsbruck
Nano Technology News From SpaceMart.com
Computer Chip Architecture, Technology and Manufacture

Tweet

Thanks for being here; We need your help. The Space Media Network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain. With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords. Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year. If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceMediaNetwork Contributor $5 Billed Once credit card or paypal		SpaceMediaNetwork Monthly Supporter $5 Billed Monthly paypal only

New silicon nanowires can really take the heat
Berkeley CA (SPX) May 18, 2022
Scientists have demonstrated a new material that conducts heat 150% more efficiently than conventional materials used in advanced chip technologies. The device - an ultrathin silicon nanowire - could enable smaller, faster microelectronics with a heat-transfer-efficiency that surpasses current technologies. Electronic devices powered by microchips that efficiently dissipate heat would in turn consume less energy - an improvement that could help mitigate the consumption of energy produced by burnin ... read more