Work

Inverse microparticle design for enhanced optical trapping and detection efficiency in all six degrees of freedom

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Achieving quantum-limited motional control of optically trapped particles beyond the sub-micrometer scale is an outstanding problem in levitated optomechanics. A key obstacle is solving the light scattering problem and identifying particle geometries that allow stable trapping and efficient motional detection of their center of mass and rotational motion in three dimensions. Here, we present a computational framework that combines an efficient electromagnetic scattering solver with the adjoint method to inversely design printable microparticles tailored for levitated optomechanics. Our method allows identifying optimized geometries, characterized by enhanced optical trapping and detection efficiencies compared to conventional microspheres. This improves the feasibility of quantum-limited motional control of all translational and rotational degrees of freedom in a standard standing-wave optical trap.

Source: Journal of Physics Photonics

DOI: 10.1088/2515-7647/ae38ad

Authors: Moosung Lee, Benjamin A Stickler, Thomas Pertsch, Sungkun Hong

Institutions: University of Stuttgart, Center for Integrated Quantum Science and Technology, Universität Ulm, Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Optics and Precision Engineering, Friedrich Schiller University Jena

Language: English

Topic: Mechanical and Optical Resonators

Subfield: Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics

Field: Physics and Astronomy

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,700

Funders: Alexander von Humboldt-Stiftung, Carl-Zeiss-Stiftung, Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, Ministerium für Wissenschaft, Forschung und Kunst Baden-Württemberg