Research project is (co) funded by the Slovenian Research Agency.
UL Member: Faculty of Mathematics and Physics
Project: Quantum Technology Toolbox for 3D sensors
Period: 1. 11. 2024 - 31. 10. 2029
Head: Marko Toroš
Research activity: Natural sciences and mathematics
Project description:
The techniques of optical trapping and manipulation have led to several milestones with many practical applications under development. A particularly exciting area is given by the emerging field of levitated optomechanics, where a nano-sized object is optically trapped and controlled using cavities and tweezers. Rapid progress has been achieved in the detection of extremely small forces and torques, which is opening the door to ultrasensitive measurements. In addition, nanoparticles also have an indispensable function in the fields of chemistry and biology with many industrial and medical applications and offer an experimentally accessible platform for the emerging sector of quantum technology.
The goal of the project is to develop a comprehensive set of theoretical tools for the characterization and use of nanoparticles in optomechanical systems. We will start by developing the theoretical machinery for the optimal measured-based control and monitoring of nanoparticles in 3D space. The preparation of the position and orientation state of a nanoparticle will pave the way for measuring the finer details of the trapped nano-sized objects as well as for quantum sensing with nanoparticles. We will then develop techniques for characterizing the shape and morphology of nanoparticles by adapting classical and quantum imaging protocols. Measurements of the external and internal properties of nanoparticles will open the door to automated nanoparticle identification as well as to monitoring the time dependence of physical and chemical processes in real-time. We will also develop the theoretical toolbox for quantum sensing of scalar, vector and tensor signals in the context of levitated optomechanics. Multimodal quantum sensing of the position and orientation of a nanoparticle will enable optimal detection and spatial reconstruction of weak external signals.
