- Accepted Paper
Optomechanical detection of individual gas collisions
Phys. Rev. Lett. - Accepted 7 August, 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/xtzh-6t1f
Phys. Rev. Lett. - Accepted 7 August, 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/xtzh-6t1f
We experimentally demonstrate the detection of momentum transfers from individual collisions of Kr, Xe, and SF 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 keV/ 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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