Nano-oscillator hits record quality factor
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The team achieved this new milestone in an environment with extremely low pressure, a critical factor in reducing interactions with the surrounding air. Credit: University of Innsbruck
In their latest study, a team led by Tracy Northup at the Department of Experimental Physics unveils the successful creation of a levitated nanomechanical oscillator with an ultra-high quality factor, significantly surpassing previous experimental achievements. The study has been published in Physical Review Letters.
The team managed to levitate a silica nanoparticle in a linear Paul trap under ultra-high vacuum conditions. What makes this achievement particularly notable is the exceptionally low dissipation rate recorded, with a quality factor exceeding 10 billion. This is more than a hundred-fold improvement compared to prior attempts, marking a milestone in the exploration of nanomechanical systems.
