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

Optics in the Life Sciences

Laser cooling optically trapped particles

P. F. Barker

Published Jan 1, 2011• 0 citations
Publisher

Abstract

In this talk I will report on the development of two methods to cool optically levitated objects. I will outline both cavity and Doppler cooling techniques and report on progress towards cooling particles in an optical fiber trap.
DOI
10.1364/ota.2011.otmb2

Related papers

Laser cooling and trapping

Steven Chu

The purpose of this tutorial is to introduce the listener to the rapidly developing field of laser cooling and trapping. Doppler cooling is first discussed followed by the new mechanism of cooling based on ground-state energy level shifts in light fields with polarization gradients. Next, the basic concepts of magnetic traps, optical dipole force traps (optical tweezers), and the magnetooptic trap are considered. Selected uses of these traps and cooling techniques are given to elucidate the broad utility of these techniques.

Annual Meeting Optical Society of America•Jan 1, 1991•10 citations

Cooling optically trapped particles

P. F. Barker, James Millen, Y. Lia Li +2 more

Cavity and Doppler cooling of trapped silica nanospheres and microspheres to their motional ground state is described. Characterisation of the levitation of a range of silica spheres from radius 25 nm to 5 µm in both optical and ion traps in vacuum is reported and prospects for realizing cooling in these systems is discussed.

Proceedings of SPIE, the International Society for Optical Engineering/Proceedings of SPIE•Oct 3, 2012•1 citation

New optical methods of cooling and manipulating atoms and molecules

James Bateman, Hamid Ohadi, Richard Murray +3 more

Cooling and trapping of atoms with light provides us with samples far colder and denser than possible by any other means and enables us to study and control these systems in exquisite detail [1]. We can not only learn about these systems, but can devise experiments of such precision that we test the underlying physics. It is unfortunate therefore that the most effective techniques, Doppler cooling and the Magneto Optical Trap, rely on a simple energy level structure found only in a handful of elements. Finally, I will present an approach in which a particle can be cooled using the dipole, rather than the scattering, force. The dipole force is conservative, but by allowing the potential to vary in time, one can change the energy of a trapped particle. Specifically, if the potential depends on the position of the particle with some time delay, we can create a friction-like force [5, 6], and we are currently building an experiment to demonstrate this effect. This technique is not restricted to atoms with a simple structure, but requires only that the particle be polarisable; in principle, therefore, it can be extended without significant change to direct optical cooling of molecules.

•Jul 1, 2008•0 citations

Cooling and manipulation of a levitated nanoparticle with an optical fiber trap

Pau Mestres, Johann Berthelot, Marko Spasenović +3 more

Accurate delivery of small targets in high vacuum is a pivotal task in many branches of science and technology. Beyond the different strategies developed for atoms, proteins, macroscopic clusters, and pellets, the manipulation of neutral particles over macroscopic distances still poses a formidable challenge. Here, we report an approach based on a mobile optical trap operated under feedback control that enables cooling and long range 3D manipulation of a silica nanoparticle in high vacuum. We apply this technique to load a single nanoparticle into a high-finesse optical cavity through a load-lock vacuum system. We foresee our scheme to benefit the field of optomechanics with levitating nano-objects as well as ultrasensitive detection and monitoring.

arXiv:1505.02012•Applied Physics Letters•Oct 12, 2015•65 citations

Optical trapping and cooling of glass microspheres

Tongcang Li, Simon Kheifets, David Medellín +1 more

We report optical trapping of glass microspheres in air and vacuum, and measurement of Brownian motion of single microspheres at different pressures. We are working on cooling the center-of-mass motion of a trapped microsphere.

Frontiers in Optics•Jan 1, 2010•0 citations

Cooling of a levitated nanoparticle to the motional quantum ground state

Uroš Delić, Manuel Reisenbauer, Kahan Dare +4 more

Quantum control of complex objects in the regime of large size and mass provides opportunities for sensing applications and tests of fundamental physics. The realization of such extreme quantum states of matter remains a major challenge. We demonstrate a quantum interface that combines optical trapping of solids with cavity-mediated light-matter interaction. Precise control over the frequency and position of the trap laser with respect to the optical cavity allowed us to laser-cool an optically trapped nanoparticle into its quantum ground state of motion from room temperature. The particle comprises 108 atoms, similar to current Bose-Einstein condensates, with the density of a solid object. Our cooling technique, in combination with optical trap manipulation, may enable otherwise unachievable superposition states involving large masses.

Bulletin of the American Physical Society•Mar 16, 2021•1 citation
The purpose of this tutorial is to introduce the listener to the rapidly developing field of laser cooling and trapping. Doppler cooling is first discussed followed by the new mechanism of cooling based on ground-state energy level shifts in light fields with polarization gradients. Next, the basic concepts of magnetic traps, optical dipole force traps (optical tweezers), and the magnetooptic trap are considered. Selected uses of these traps and cooling techniques are given to elucidate the broad utility of these techniques.
Cooling and trapping of atoms with light provides us with samples far colder and denser than possible by any other means and enables us to study and control these systems in exquisite detail [1]. We can not only learn about these systems, but can devise experiments of such precision that we test the underlying physics. It is unfortunate therefore that the most effective techniques, Doppler cooling and the Magneto Optical Trap, rely on a simple energy level structure found only in a handful of elements. Finally, I will present an approach in which a particle can be cooled using the dipole, rather than the scattering, force. The dipole force is conservative, but by allowing the potential to vary in time, one can change the energy of a trapped particle. Specifically, if the potential depends on the position of the particle with some time delay, we can create a friction-like force [5, 6], and we are currently building an experiment to demonstrate this effect. This technique is not restricted to atoms with a simple structure, but requires only that the particle be polarisable; in principle, therefore, it can be extended without significant change to direct optical cooling of molecules.
Accurate delivery of small targets in high vacuum is a pivotal task in many branches of science and technology. Beyond the different strategies developed for atoms, proteins, macroscopic clusters, and pellets, the manipulation of neutral particles over macroscopic distances still poses a formidable challenge. Here, we report an approach based on a mobile optical trap operated under feedback control that enables cooling and long range 3D manipulation of a silica nanoparticle in high vacuum. We apply this technique to load a single nanoparticle into a high-finesse optical cavity through a load-lock vacuum system. We foresee our scheme to benefit the field of optomechanics with levitating nano-objects as well as ultrasensitive detection and monitoring.
Quantum control of complex objects in the regime of large size and mass provides opportunities for sensing applications and tests of fundamental physics. The realization of such extreme quantum states of matter remains a major challenge. We demonstrate a quantum interface that combines optical trapping of solids with cavity-mediated light-matter interaction. Precise control over the frequency and position of the trap laser with respect to the optical cavity allowed us to laser-cool an optically trapped nanoparticle into its quantum ground state of motion from room temperature. The particle comprises 108 atoms, similar to current Bose-Einstein condensates, with the density of a solid object. Our cooling technique, in combination with optical trap manipulation, may enable otherwise unachievable superposition states involving large masses.