5 research outputs found
Overdamped dynamics of a Brownian particle levitated in a Paul trap
We study the dynamics of the center of mass of a Brownian particle levitated
in a Paul trap. We focus on the overdamped regime in the context of
levitodynamics, comparing theory with our numerical simulations and
experimental data from a nanoparticle in a Paul trap. We provide an exact
analytical solution to the stochastic equation of motion, expressions for the
standard deviation of the motion, and thermalization times by using the WKB
method under two different limits. Finally, we prove the power spectral density
of the motion can be approximated by that of an Ornstein-Uhlenbeck process and
use the found expression to calibrate the motion of a trapped particle
Motion Control and Optical Interrogation of a Levitating Single Nitrogen Vacancy in Vacuum
Levitation
optomechanics exploits the unique mechanical properties
of trapped nano-objects in vacuum to address some of the limitations
of clamped nanomechanical resonators. In particular, its performance
is foreseen to contribute to a better understanding of quantum decoherence
at the mesoscopic scale as well as to lead to novel ultrasensitive
sensing schemes. While most efforts have focused so far on the optical
trapping of low-absorption silica particles, further opportunities
arise from levitating objects with internal degrees of freedom, such
as color centers. Nevertheless, inefficient heat dissipation at low
pressures poses a challenge because most nano-objects, even with low-absorption
materials, experience photodamage in an optical trap. Here, by using
a Paul trap, we demonstrate levitation in vacuum and center-of-mass
feedback cooling of a nanodiamond hosting a single nitrogen-vacancy
center. The achieved level of motion control enables us to optically
interrogate and characterize the emitter response. The developed platform
is applicable to a wide range of other nano-objects and represents
a promising step toward coupling internal and external degrees of
freedom