We experimentally demonstrate the detection of momentum transfers from individual collisions of Kr, Xe, and ${\mathrm{SF}}_6$ with an optically levitated nanoparticle, finding good agreement with theoretical expectations. The observed event rates accurately measure the gas partial pressures, while the spectral shape provides a sensitive probe of the surface properties of the nanoparticle, including its temperature. The reconstruction of impulse signals as small as $200\mathrm{keV}/c$ further establishes that levitated optomechanical sensors can reach the sensitivity required for precision measurements of fundamental particle interactions, and demonstrates a proof-of-principle for a primary pressure sensor based on the detection of individual gas particle collisions.

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• Atom or molecule scattering from surfaces
• Optomechanics
• Quantum metrology
• Micromechanical & nanomechanical oscillators