Free expansion of a charged nanoparticle via electrostatic compensation

David Steiner; Yaakov Y. Fein; Gregor Meier; Stefan Lindner; Paul Juschitz; Mario A. Ciampini; Markus Aspelmeyer; Nikolai Kiesel

doi:10.1063/5.0303460

Free expansion of a charged nanoparticle via electrostatic compensation

D David Steiner (Faculty of Physics, Vienna Center for Quantum Science and Technology (VCQ), University of Vienna 1 , Boltzmanngasse 5, A-1090 Vienna,) Y Yaakov Y. Fein (Faculty of Physics, Vienna Center for Quantum Science and Technology (VCQ), University of Vienna 1 , Boltzmanngasse 5, A-1090 Vienna,) G Gregor Meier (Faculty of Physics, Vienna Center for Quantum Science and Technology (VCQ), University of Vienna 1 , Boltzmanngasse 5, A-1090 Vienna,) S Stefan Lindner (Faculty of Physics, Vienna Center for Quantum Science and Technology (VCQ), University of Vienna 1 , Boltzmanngasse 5, A-1090 Vienna,) P Paul Juschitz (Faculty of Physics, Vienna Center for Quantum Science and Technology (VCQ), University of Vienna 1 , Boltzmanngasse 5, A-1090 Vienna,) M Mario A. Ciampini (Faculty of Physics, Vienna Center for Quantum Science and Technology (VCQ), University of Vienna 1 , Boltzmanngasse 5, A-1090 Vienna,) M Markus Aspelmeyer (Faculty of Physics, Vienna Center for Quantum Science and Technology (VCQ), University of Vienna 1 , Boltzmanngasse 5, A-1090 Vienna,) N Nikolai Kiesel (Faculty of Physics, Vienna Center for Quantum Science and Technology (VCQ), University of Vienna 1 , Boltzmanngasse 5, A-1090 Vienna,)

Abstract

Coherent wavepacket expansion is a key component of recent proposals aiming to create non-classical states of a levitated dielectric nanoparticle. Free evolution, i.e., releasing the particle from its harmonic trapping potential and allowing its position variance to grow, is a simple but effective expansion scheme, but requires accurate force compensation to avoid significant mean displacements of the wavepacket during the free evolution. Here, using an optical trap–release–recapture sequence, we demonstrate an electrostatic compensation technique that enables free evolution without significant mean displacement in 3D, effectively compensating both gravity and stray electric fields. To achieve 100 μs free evolution times with charged particles, we developed methods to map and correct for force cross-talk, as well as to control the environmental charge state. Combined with a low decoherence environment, our approach enables the preparation of largely delocalized states without the need for long freefall trajectories or a low-gravity environment.

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Article Details

Journal Applied Physics Letters

Volume / Issue Vol. 127, Issue 19

Published November 10, 2025

DOI 10.1063/5.0303460

ISSN 0003-6951

Publisher American Institute of Physics

Journal Info

Applied Physics Letters

American Institute of Physics

ISSN: 0003-6951 Physical Sciences