Levitated Optomechanical inertial and acceleration sensor platform

The project will be based on recent quantum experimental research with levitated optomechanical systems, where particles of size between 100 nm and 10 um are trapped by optical, electrical or magnetic fields. The interaction with optical and magnetic fields is also use to monitor and detect the motion of the particle with high spatial resolution. It has become evident that such levitated mechanical systems hold promise for applications as acceleration, inertial and gravity sensors.

This projects aims to take the first concrete step to explore the use of levitated systems as sensors in real world environments in collaborations with industry and engineers at Universities. More concretely, the project will set up optical trapping in compact and eventually portable platforms and investigating the sensitivity and accuracy for sensing applications in realistic scenarios.