An on-demand source of nanoparticles for optomechanics

Author(s): P. Rieser, N. Rahaman, F. Donnerbauer, S. Putz, A. Shayeghi, S. Troyer, M. Arndt
Abstract: The generation of nanoparticles on demand, with good control over their size and shape, has been a challenge for nanotechnology and the rapidly growing field of levitated optomechanics. Here, we present the preparation, launch, and detection of single nanoparticles in both a buffer gas and in vacuum. A tightly focused ultrashort laser beam with low energy is used to melt, form, and release individual particles. Surface tension supports the creation of spherical particles from molten droplets whose radii can be controlled, here in the range r = 80 − 200 nm , by varying the pulse energy. The particle source is compact and compatible with high vacuum. It can be applied equally to dielectrics and metals as demonstrated here for silicon and gold. The method is unique in its capability to generate pristine silicon spheres directly in vacuum, which would rapidly oxidize when formed in air. Silicon is of interest for levitated optomechanics, cavity cooling, and emerging quantum interference experiments because of its high infrared polarizability and its low work function. Combining the source with an infrared cavity, we characterize the launch velocity and transit dynamics for silicon and gold nanoparticles in a high-finesse cavity field.
Organisation(s): Quantum Optics, Quantum Nanophysics and Quantum Information
External organisation(s): Österreichische Akademie der Wissenschaften (ÖAW)
Journal: Applied Physics Letters
Volume: 125
No. of pages: 5
ISSN: 0003-6951
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0221965
Publication date: 08-2024
Peer reviewed: Yes
Austrian Fields of Science 2012: 103021 Optics, 210004 Nanomaterials, 103025 Quantum mechanics
ASJC Scopus subject areas: Physics and Astronomy (miscellaneous)
Portal url: https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/en/publications/an-ondemand-source-of-nanoparticles-for-optomechanics(bd45610b-cc7a-477a-87a8-9d2e29925169).html