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:2604.18371

Optomechanical Detection of Individual Gas Collisions

Yu-Han Tseng, Clarke A. Hardy, T. W. Penny, Cecily Lowe, Jacqueline Baeza-Rubio, Daniel Carney, David C. Moore

quant-phhep-exphysics.ins-detSubmitted Apr 20, 2026• Announced Apr 21, 2026
v1 · Apr 20, 2026v2 · Oct 19, 2026
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

We experimentally demonstrate the detection of momentum transfers from individual collisions of Kr, Xe, and SF$_6$ with an optically levitated nanoparticle, finding good agreement with theoretical expectations. The observed event rates accurately measure the gas partial pressures, while the spectral shape provides a sensitive probe of the surface properties of the nanoparticle, including its temperature. The reconstruction of impulse signals as small as 200 keV/$c$ further establishes that levitated optomechanical sensors can reach the sensitivity required for precision measurements of fundamental particle interactions, and demonstrates a proof-of-principle for a primary pressure sensor based on the detection of individual gas particle collisions.

Journal reference
Phys. Rev. Lett. 137 (2026), 173601
DOI
10.1103/xtzh-6t1f
Comments
5 pages, 3 figures

Related papers

Nanomechanical sensor resolving impulsive forces below its zero-point fluctuations

Martynas Skrabulis, Martin Colombano Sosa, Nicola Carlon Zambon +4 more

The sensitivity of a mechanical transducer is ultimately limited by its inherent quantum fluctuations. Here, we use an optically levitated nanoparticle to measure impulsive forces smaller than the particle's zero-point momentum uncertainty. Our approach relies on reversibly squeezing the levitated particle's center-of-mass motion to coherently amplify the perturbation. We demonstrate resolving single impulsive-force kicks as small as 6.9 keV/c, a value 0.6 dB below the sensor's zero-point value.

quant-pharXiv:2601.19392•Jan 28, 2026

Single-atom detection with a quantum-controlled mechanical oscillator

Maxime Perdriat, Maciej Dziewiecki, Josef-Anton Agner +4 more

Using supersonic expansion, we create a time-gated, directional beam of Xe atoms with a narrow momentum distribution and detect their collisions with a levitated nanosphere cooled to its quantum ground state. We observe individual momentum kicks below 50 keV/c with 96% confidence and distinguish directional momentum transfer from the atomic beam against the background of thermal collisions. Our experiments constitute a first step toward the exploration of distance-dependent short-range interactions between atoms and levitated systems, as well as toward the use of levitated platforms for impulsive force sensing in previously unexplored parameter regimes.

quant-pharXiv:2608.17656•Physical Review A•Aug 19, 2026•2 citations

Universality of Diffractive Collisions and the Quantum Pressure Standard

James L. Booth, Pinrui Shen, Roman V. Krems +1 more

This work demonstrates that quantum diffractive collisions, those that result in very small momentum and energy transfer, are universal. Specifically, the cumulative energy distribution transferred to an initially stationary sensor particle by a quantum diffractive collision follows a universal function that depends only on the sensor particle mass and the thermally-averaged, total collision cross section. The characteristic energy scale corresponds to the localization length associated with the collision-induced quantum measurement, and the shape of the universal function is determined {\it only} by the analytic form of the interaction potential at long range. Using cold $^{87}$Rb sensor atoms confined in a magnetic trap, we observe experimentally the universal function specific to van der Waals collisions, and realize a \emph{self-defining} particle pressure sensor that can be used for any ambient gas. This provides the first primary and quantum definition of the Pascal, applicable to any species and therefore represents a key advance for vacuum and pressure metrology. The quantum pressure standard realized here was compared with a state-of-the-art orifice flow standard transferred by an ionization gauge calibrated for N$_2$. The pressure measurements agreed at the 0.5\% level.

arXiv:1905.02193•May 3, 2019•0 citations

Three-Dimensional and Selective Displacement Sensing of a Levitated Nanoparticle via Spatial Mode Decomposition

Cyril Laplane, Thomas Dinter, Reece P. Roberts +2 more

We propose and experimentally demonstrate a novel detection method that significantly improves the precision of real-time measurement of the three-dimensional displacement of a levitated dipolar scatterer. Our technique relies on spatial mode sorting of the light scattered by the levitated object, allowing us to selectively extract the position information of all translational degrees of freedom with minimal losses. To this end, we collect all the light back-scattered from a levitated nanoparticle using a parabolic mirror and couple it into a spatial mode sorter. We measure displacement sensitivities (√︁𝑆imp,𝑥,√︁𝑆imp,𝑦,√︁𝑆imp,𝑧) = (1.7, 2.4, 1.0) × 10−14 m/√Hz below the zero-point motion (𝑥zpm, 𝑦zpm, 𝑧zpm) = (2.2, 2.4, 1.6)× 10−12 m of the levitated particle considered here. In the regime where environmental decoherence is not limited by gas collision we estimate that our method can reach measurement efficiencies of (𝜂𝑥 tot , 𝜂𝑦 tot , 𝜂𝑧 tot) = (0.13, 0.18, 0.33) > 1/9, which would enable the 3D motional quantum ground state of a levitated optomechanical system.

•Apr 1, 2026•0 citations

Three-Dimensional and Selective Displacement Sensing of a Levitated Nanoparticle via Spatial Mode Decomposition

Cyril Laplane, Thomas Dinter, Reece P. Roberts +2 more

We propose and experimentally demonstrate a novel detection method that significantly improves the precision of real-time measurement of the three-dimensional displacement of a levitated dipolar scatterer. Our technique relies on spatial mode sorting of the light scattered by the levitated object, allowing us to selectively extract the position information of all translational degrees of freedom with minimal losses. To this end, we collect all the light back-scattered from a levitated nanoparticle using a parabolic mirror and couple it into a spatial mode sorter. We measure displacement sensitivities (√︁𝑆imp,𝑥,√︁𝑆imp,𝑦,√︁𝑆imp,𝑧) = (1.7, 2.4, 1.0) × 10−14 m/√Hz below the zero-point motion (𝑥zpm, 𝑦zpm, 𝑧zpm) = (2.2, 2.4, 1.6)× 10−12 m of the levitated particle considered here. In the regime where environmental decoherence is not limited by gas collision we estimate that our method can reach measurement efficiencies of (𝜂𝑥 tot , 𝜂𝑦 tot , 𝜂𝑧 tot) = (0.13, 0.18, 0.33) > 1/9, which would enable the 3D motional quantum ground state of a levitated optomechanical system.

•Apr 2, 2026•0 citations

Three-Dimensional and Selective Displacement Sensing of a Levitated Nanoparticle via Spatial Mode Decomposition

Cyril Laplane, Thomas Dinter, Reece P. Roberts +2 more

We propose and experimentally demonstrate a novel detection method that significantly improves the precision of real-time measurement of the three-dimensional displacement of a levitated dipolar scatterer. Our technique relies on spatial mode sorting of the light scat tered by the levitated object, allowing us to selectively extract the position information of all translational degrees of freedom with minimal losses. To this end, we collect all the light back-scattered from a levitated nanoparticle using a parabolic mirror and couple it into a spatial mode sorter. We measure displacement sensitivities (√︁𝑆imp,𝑥,√︁𝑆imp,𝑦,√︁𝑆imp,𝑧) = (1.7, 2.4, 1.0) × 10−14 m/√Hz below the zero-point motion (𝑥zpm, 𝑦zpm, 𝑧zpm) = (2.2, 2.4, 1.6)× 10−12 m of the levitated particle considered here. In the regime where environmental decoherence is not limited by gas collision we estimate that our method can reach measurement efficiencies of (𝜂𝑥tot , 𝜂𝑦tot , 𝜂𝑧tot ) = (0.13, 0.18, 0.33) > 1/9, which would enable the 3D motional quantum ground state of a levitated optomechanical system.

•Apr 1, 2026•0 citations
We experimentally demonstrate the detection of momentum transfers from individual collisions of Kr, Xe, and SF6_66​ with an optically levitated nanoparticle, finding good agreement with theoretical expectations. The observed event rates accurately measure the gas partial pressures, while the spectral shape provides a sensitive probe of the surface properties of the nanoparticle, including its temperature. The reconstruction of impulse signals as small as 200 keV/ccc further establishes that levitated optomechanical sensors can reach the sensitivity required for precision measurements of fundamental particle interactions, and demonstrates a proof-of-principle for a primary pressure sensor based on the detection of individual gas particle collisions.
The sensitivity of a mechanical transducer is ultimately limited by its inherent quantum fluctuations. Here, we use an optically levitated nanoparticle to measure impulsive forces smaller than the particle's zero-point momentum uncertainty. Our approach relies on reversibly squeezing the levitated particle's center-of-mass motion to coherently amplify the perturbation. We demonstrate resolving single impulsive-force kicks as small as 6.9 keV/c, a value 0.6 dB below the sensor's zero-point value.
Using supersonic expansion, we create a time-gated, directional beam of Xe atoms with a narrow momentum distribution and detect their collisions with a levitated nanosphere cooled to its quantum ground state. We observe individual momentum kicks below 50 keV/c with 96% confidence and distinguish directional momentum transfer from the atomic beam against the background of thermal collisions. Our experiments constitute a first step toward the exploration of distance-dependent short-range interactions between atoms and levitated systems, as well as toward the use of levitated platforms for impulsive force sensing in previously unexplored parameter regimes.
This work demonstrates that quantum diffractive collisions, those that result in very small momentum and energy transfer, are universal. Specifically, the cumulative energy distribution transferred to an initially stationary sensor particle by a quantum diffractive collision follows a universal function that depends only on the sensor particle mass and the thermally-averaged, total collision cross section. The characteristic energy scale corresponds to the localization length associated with the collision-induced quantum measurement, and the shape of the universal function is determined {\it only} by the analytic form of the interaction potential at long range. Using cold 87^{87}87Rb sensor atoms confined in a magnetic trap, we observe experimentally the universal function specific to van der Waals collisions, and realize a \emph{self-defining} particle pressure sensor that can be used for any ambient gas. This provides the first primary and quantum definition of the Pascal, applicable to any species and therefore represents a key advance for vacuum and pressure metrology. The quantum pressure standard realized here was compared with a state-of-the-art orifice flow standard transferred by an ionization gauge calibrated for N2_22​. The pressure measurements agreed at the 0.5\% level.
We propose and experimentally demonstrate a novel detection method that significantly improves the precision of real-time measurement of the three-dimensional displacement of a levitated dipolar scatterer. Our technique relies on spatial mode sorting of the light scattered by the levitated object, allowing us to selectively extract the position information of all translational degrees of freedom with minimal losses. To this end, we collect all the light back-scattered from a levitated nanoparticle using a parabolic mirror and couple it into a spatial mode sorter. We measure displacement sensitivities (√︁𝑆imp,𝑥,√︁𝑆imp,𝑦,√︁𝑆imp,𝑧) = (1.7, 2.4, 1.0) × 10−14 m/√Hz below the zero-point motion (𝑥zpm, 𝑦zpm, 𝑧zpm) = (2.2, 2.4, 1.6)× 10−12 m of the levitated particle considered here. In the regime where environmental decoherence is not limited by gas collision we estimate that our method can reach measurement efficiencies of (𝜂𝑥 tot , 𝜂𝑦 tot , 𝜂𝑧 tot) = (0.13, 0.18, 0.33) > 1/9, which would enable the 3D motional quantum ground state of a levitated optomechanical system.
We propose and experimentally demonstrate a novel detection method that significantly improves the precision of real-time measurement of the three-dimensional displacement of a levitated dipolar scatterer. Our technique relies on spatial mode sorting of the light scattered by the levitated object, allowing us to selectively extract the position information of all translational degrees of freedom with minimal losses. To this end, we collect all the light back-scattered from a levitated nanoparticle using a parabolic mirror and couple it into a spatial mode sorter. We measure displacement sensitivities (√︁𝑆imp,𝑥,√︁𝑆imp,𝑦,√︁𝑆imp,𝑧) = (1.7, 2.4, 1.0) × 10−14 m/√Hz below the zero-point motion (𝑥zpm, 𝑦zpm, 𝑧zpm) = (2.2, 2.4, 1.6)× 10−12 m of the levitated particle considered here. In the regime where environmental decoherence is not limited by gas collision we estimate that our method can reach measurement efficiencies of (𝜂𝑥 tot , 𝜂𝑦 tot , 𝜂𝑧 tot) = (0.13, 0.18, 0.33) > 1/9, which would enable the 3D motional quantum ground state of a levitated optomechanical system.
We propose and experimentally demonstrate a novel detection method that significantly improves the precision of real-time measurement of the three-dimensional displacement of a levitated dipolar scatterer. Our technique relies on spatial mode sorting of the light scat tered by the levitated object, allowing us to selectively extract the position information of all translational degrees of freedom with minimal losses. To this end, we collect all the light back-scattered from a levitated nanoparticle using a parabolic mirror and couple it into a spatial mode sorter. We measure displacement sensitivities (√︁𝑆imp,𝑥,√︁𝑆imp,𝑦,√︁𝑆imp,𝑧) = (1.7, 2.4, 1.0) × 10−14 m/√Hz below the zero-point motion (𝑥zpm, 𝑦zpm, 𝑧zpm) = (2.2, 2.4, 1.6)× 10−12 m of the levitated particle considered here. In the regime where environmental decoherence is not limited by gas collision we estimate that our method can reach measurement efficiencies of (𝜂𝑥tot , 𝜂𝑦tot , 𝜂𝑧tot ) = (0.13, 0.18, 0.33) > 1/9, which would enable the 3D motional quantum ground state of a levitated optomechanical system.