Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

arXiv:2203.04198 · Science

Tunable light-induced dipole-dipole interaction between optically levitated nanoparticles

Jakob Rieser, Mario Arnolfo Ciampini, Henning Rudolph, Nikolai Kiesel, Klaus Hornberger, Benjamin A. Stickler, Markus Aspelmeyer, Uroš Delić

Published Aug 25, 2022• 145 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

Arrays of optically trapped nanoparticles have emerged as a platform for the study of complex nonequilibrium phenomena. Analogous to atomic many-body systems, one of the crucial ingredients is the ability to precisely control the interactions between particles. However, the optical interactions studied thus far only provide conservative optical binding forces of limited tunability. In this work, we exploit the phase coherence between the optical fields that drive the light-induced dipole-dipole interaction to couple two nanoparticles. In addition, we effectively switch off the optical interaction and observe electrostatic coupling between charged particles. Our results provide a route to developing fully programmable many-body systems of interacting nanoparticles with tunable nonreciprocal interactions, which are instrumental for exploring entanglement and topological phases in arrays of levitated nanoparticles.

DOI
10.1126/science.abp9941

Related papers

Tunable dipole–dipole interactions between nanoparticles levitated by two orthogonally polarized optical traps

Tong Li, Mian Wu, Peitong He +5 more

Arrays of optically levitated nanoparticles with fully tunable light-induced dipole–dipole interactions have emerged as a platform for fundamental research and sensing applications. However, previous experiments utilized two optical traps with identical polarization, leading to an interference effect. Here, we demonstrate light-induced dipole–dipole interactions using two orthogonally polarized optical traps. Furthermore, we achieve control over the strength and polarity of the optical coupling by adjusting the polarization and propose a method to simultaneously and stably measure conservative and non-conservative coupling rates. Our results provide a new scheme for exploring entanglement and topological phases in arrays of levitated nanoparticles.

Photonics Research•Jul 15, 2024•3 citations

Direct and mediated dipole–dipole interactions in a reconfigurable array of optical traps

Mian Wu, Nan Li, He Cai +2 more

Optically levitated nanoparticles in vacuum experience both electrostatic and light-induced dipole–dipole interactions, offering a versatile platform to explore mesoscopic entanglement and many-body dynamics. A significant challenge in optical trap arrays is to achieve site-resolved, point-to-point tunability: adjusting the laser parameters of a single trap typically induces global cross-talk to neighboring sites, hindering independent control. Inspired by tunable couplers in superconducting circuits, we implement an ancillary nanoparticle that functions as a coupler between two target nanoparticles. Within a reconfigurable three-particle array, we demonstrate broad tunability of the direct dipole–dipole interaction by controlling the phase and position of the traps. In addition, we observe spectral signatures consistent with mediated interactions between the target particles via the ancillary one, manifested as mode participation beyond the uncoupled response. Our results establish a practical route to tailored, site-resolved control in multi-particle optical trap arrays, expanding the optical-binding toolbox and opening opportunities for programmable oscillator networks relevant to macroscopic quantum mechanics and precision sensing.

Optics Letters•Feb 9, 2026•1 citation

Direct and mediated dipole-dipole interactions in a reconfigurable array of optical traps

Mian Wu, Nan Li, Han Cai +2 more

Optically levitated nanoparticles in vacuum experience both electrostatic and light-induced dipole-dipole interactions, offering a versatile platform to explore mesoscopic entanglement and many-body dynamics. A significant challenge in optical trap arrays is to achieve site-resolved, point-to-point tunability: adjusting the laser parameters of a single trap typically induces global cross-talk to neighboring sites, hindering independent control. Inspired by tunable couplers in superconducting circuits, we implement an ancillary nanoparticle that functions as a coupler between two target nanoparticles. Within a reconfigurable three-particle array, we demonstrate broad tunability of the direct dipole-dipole interaction by controlling the phase and position of the traps. In addition, we observe spectral signatures consistent with mediated interactions between the target particles via the ancillary one, manifested as mode participation beyond the uncoupled response. Our results establish a practical route to tailored, site-resolved control in multi-particle optical trap arrays, expanding the optical-binding toolbox and opening opportunities for programmable oscillator networks relevant to macroscopic quantum mechanics and precision sensing.

arXiv:2408.06256•Aug 12, 2024•0 citations

Non-Hermitian physics of levitated nanoparticle array

Kazuki Yokomizo, Yuto Ashida

The ability to control levitated nanoparticles allows one to explore various fields of physics, including quantum optics, quantum metrology, and nonequilibrium physics. It has been recently demonstrated that the arrangement of two levitated nanoparticles naturally realizes the tunable nonreciprocal dipole-dipole interaction. Motivated by this development, we here propose and analyze an array of levitated nanoparticles as an ideal platform to study non-Hermitian physics in a highly controlled manner. We employ the non-Bloch band theory to determine the continuum bands of the proposed setup and investigate the non-Hermitian skin effect therein. In particular, we point out that the levitated nanoparticle array exhibits rich dynamical phases, including the dynamically unstable phase and the unconventional critical phase where the spectral singularity persists over a broad region of the controllable parameters. We also show that the long-range nature of the dipole-dipole interaction gives rise to the unique self-crossing point of the continuum band.

arXiv:2301.05439•Physical Review Research•Sep 27, 2023•7 citations

Tuneable Gaussian entanglement in levitated nanoparticle arrays

Anil Kumar Chauhan, Ondřej Černotík, Radim Filip

Abstract Optically levitated nanoparticles emerged as an interesting platform for probing fundamental physics. Quantum control of their motion (including potential shaping) predisposes them for emulating various physical systems and studying quantum phenomena with massive objects. Extending these capabilities to quantum many-body systems requires feasible strategies to couple and entangle nanoparticles directly or via an optical bus. We propose a variable, deterministic scheme to generate Gaussian entanglement in the motional steady state of levitated nanoparticles using coherent scattering. Coupling multiple nanoparticles to a common cavity mode allows cooling of a collective Bogoliubov mode; cooling multiple Bogoliubov modes (by trapping each nanoparticle in multiple tweezers, each scattering into a separate cavity mode) removes most thermal noise, leading to strong entanglement. Numerical simulations for three nanoparticles show great tuneability of entanglement with realistic experimental parameters. Our proposal paves the way towards complex motional quantum states for advanced quantum sensing protocols and many-body quantum simulations.

arXiv:2206.07366•npj Quantum Information•Dec 28, 2022•15 citations

Floquet engineering of nonreciprocal light-induced dipolar interactions

Livia Egyed, Murad Abuzarli, Manuel Reisenbauer +3 more

Tweezer arrays of polarizable objects are a promising platform for assembling quantum matter and building next-generation quantum sensors. Light-induced dipolar interactions have emerged as a method to couple their motion, thereby establishing a new paradigm for controlling collective mechanical degrees of freedom. Here, we extend these into the regime of Floquet-driven interactions, combined with the intrinsic nonreciprocity of optical forces. We demonstrate beamsplitter, single-, and two-mode squeezing operations, as well as signatures of a negative-mass-like oscillator arising from the nonreciprocity. Moreover, we show that a programmable combination of these operations enables continuous tuning of complex eigenfrequencies. These results establish a toolbox of quantum operations of nonreciprocal interactions that are essential for investigating non-Hermitian many-body physics and collective quantum optomechanics.

quant-pharXiv:2605.13694•May 14, 2026
Arrays of optically trapped nanoparticles have emerged as a platform for the study of complex nonequilibrium phenomena. Analogous to atomic many-body systems, one of the crucial ingredients is the ability to precisely control the interactions between particles. However, the optical interactions studied thus far only provide conservative optical binding forces of limited tunability. In this work, we exploit the phase coherence between the optical fields that drive the light-induced dipole-dipole interaction to couple two nanoparticles. In addition, we effectively switch off the optical interaction and observe electrostatic coupling between charged particles. Our results provide a route to developing fully programmable many-body systems of interacting nanoparticles with tunable nonreciprocal interactions, which are instrumental for exploring entanglement and topological phases in arrays of levitated nanoparticles.
Arrays of optically levitated nanoparticles with fully tunable light-induced dipole–dipole interactions have emerged as a platform for fundamental research and sensing applications. However, previous experiments utilized two optical traps with identical polarization, leading to an interference effect. Here, we demonstrate light-induced dipole–dipole interactions using two orthogonally polarized optical traps. Furthermore, we achieve control over the strength and polarity of the optical coupling by adjusting the polarization and propose a method to simultaneously and stably measure conservative and non-conservative coupling rates. Our results provide a new scheme for exploring entanglement and topological phases in arrays of levitated nanoparticles.
Optically levitated nanoparticles in vacuum experience both electrostatic and light-induced dipole–dipole interactions, offering a versatile platform to explore mesoscopic entanglement and many-body dynamics. A significant challenge in optical trap arrays is to achieve site-resolved, point-to-point tunability: adjusting the laser parameters of a single trap typically induces global cross-talk to neighboring sites, hindering independent control. Inspired by tunable couplers in superconducting circuits, we implement an ancillary nanoparticle that functions as a coupler between two target nanoparticles. Within a reconfigurable three-particle array, we demonstrate broad tunability of the direct dipole–dipole interaction by controlling the phase and position of the traps. In addition, we observe spectral signatures consistent with mediated interactions between the target particles via the ancillary one, manifested as mode participation beyond the uncoupled response. Our results establish a practical route to tailored, site-resolved control in multi-particle optical trap arrays, expanding the optical-binding toolbox and opening opportunities for programmable oscillator networks relevant to macroscopic quantum mechanics and precision sensing.
Optically levitated nanoparticles in vacuum experience both electrostatic and light-induced dipole-dipole interactions, offering a versatile platform to explore mesoscopic entanglement and many-body dynamics. A significant challenge in optical trap arrays is to achieve site-resolved, point-to-point tunability: adjusting the laser parameters of a single trap typically induces global cross-talk to neighboring sites, hindering independent control. Inspired by tunable couplers in superconducting circuits, we implement an ancillary nanoparticle that functions as a coupler between two target nanoparticles. Within a reconfigurable three-particle array, we demonstrate broad tunability of the direct dipole-dipole interaction by controlling the phase and position of the traps. In addition, we observe spectral signatures consistent with mediated interactions between the target particles via the ancillary one, manifested as mode participation beyond the uncoupled response. Our results establish a practical route to tailored, site-resolved control in multi-particle optical trap arrays, expanding the optical-binding toolbox and opening opportunities for programmable oscillator networks relevant to macroscopic quantum mechanics and precision sensing.
The ability to control levitated nanoparticles allows one to explore various fields of physics, including quantum optics, quantum metrology, and nonequilibrium physics. It has been recently demonstrated that the arrangement of two levitated nanoparticles naturally realizes the tunable nonreciprocal dipole-dipole interaction. Motivated by this development, we here propose and analyze an array of levitated nanoparticles as an ideal platform to study non-Hermitian physics in a highly controlled manner. We employ the non-Bloch band theory to determine the continuum bands of the proposed setup and investigate the non-Hermitian skin effect therein. In particular, we point out that the levitated nanoparticle array exhibits rich dynamical phases, including the dynamically unstable phase and the unconventional critical phase where the spectral singularity persists over a broad region of the controllable parameters. We also show that the long-range nature of the dipole-dipole interaction gives rise to the unique self-crossing point of the continuum band.
Abstract Optically levitated nanoparticles emerged as an interesting platform for probing fundamental physics. Quantum control of their motion (including potential shaping) predisposes them for emulating various physical systems and studying quantum phenomena with massive objects. Extending these capabilities to quantum many-body systems requires feasible strategies to couple and entangle nanoparticles directly or via an optical bus. We propose a variable, deterministic scheme to generate Gaussian entanglement in the motional steady state of levitated nanoparticles using coherent scattering. Coupling multiple nanoparticles to a common cavity mode allows cooling of a collective Bogoliubov mode; cooling multiple Bogoliubov modes (by trapping each nanoparticle in multiple tweezers, each scattering into a separate cavity mode) removes most thermal noise, leading to strong entanglement. Numerical simulations for three nanoparticles show great tuneability of entanglement with realistic experimental parameters. Our proposal paves the way towards complex motional quantum states for advanced quantum sensing protocols and many-body quantum simulations.
Tweezer arrays of polarizable objects are a promising platform for assembling quantum matter and building next-generation quantum sensors. Light-induced dipolar interactions have emerged as a method to couple their motion, thereby establishing a new paradigm for controlling collective mechanical degrees of freedom. Here, we extend these into the regime of Floquet-driven interactions, combined with the intrinsic nonreciprocity of optical forces. We demonstrate beamsplitter, single-, and two-mode squeezing operations, as well as signatures of a negative-mass-like oscillator arising from the nonreciprocity. Moreover, we show that a programmable combination of these operations enables continuous tuning of complex eigenfrequencies. These results establish a toolbox of quantum operations of nonreciprocal interactions that are essential for investigating non-Hermitian many-body physics and collective quantum optomechanics.