Cavity-Assisted Manipulation of Freely Rotating Silicon Nanorods in High Vacuum

Author(s)
Stefan Kuhn, Peter Asenbaum, Alon Kosloff, Michele Sclafani, Benjamin A. Stickler, Stefan Nimmrichter, Klaus Hornberger, Ori Cheshnovsky, Fernando Patolsky, Markus Arndt
Abstract

Optical control of nanoscale objects has recently developed into a thriving field of research with far-reaching promises for precision measurements, fundamental quantum physics and studies on single-particle thermodynamics. Here, we demonstrate the optical manipulation of silicon nanorods in high vacuum. Initially, we sculpture these particles into a silicon substrate with a tailored geometry to facilitate their launch into high vacuum by laser-induced mechanical cleavage. We manipulate and trace their center-of-mass and rotational motion through the interaction with an intense intracavity field. Our experiments show that the anisotropy of the nanorotors leads to optical forces that are three times stronger than on silicon nanospheres of the same mass. The optical torque experienced by the spinning rods will enable cooling of the rotational motion and torsional optomechanics in a dissipation-free environment.

Organisation(s)
Quantum Optics, Quantum Nanophysics and Quantum Information
External organisation(s)
Universität Duisburg-Essen, Tel Aviv University
Journal
Nano Letters: a journal dedicated to nanoscience and nanotechnology
Volume
15
Pages
5604-5608
No. of pages
5
ISSN
1530-6984
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.nanolett.5b02302
Publication date
08-2015
Peer reviewed
Yes
Austrian Fields of Science 2012
103026 Quantum optics, 210006 Nanotechnology
Keywords
ASJC Scopus subject areas
Condensed Matter Physics, Mechanical Engineering, Bioengineering, General Chemistry, General Materials Science
Portal url
https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/en/publications/c616b82e-2fc2-45d5-815f-02f9622b0355