| Author(s): |
Michael J. Biercuk; Joseph W. Britton; Hermann Uys; Aaron Vandevender; John J. Bollinger; |
| Title: |
yocto-Newton force detection sensitivity using trapped ions |
| Published: |
August 22, 2010 |
| Abstract: |
Recent experimental advances have shown that it is possible to detect forces arising from electric fields at a level of aN/ √Hz (atto = 10-18 through coupling of micro or nanofabricated mechanical resonators to a variety of physical systems including single-electron transistors, superconducting microwave cavities, and individual spins. These experiments have allowed for probing studies of the physics of quantum-mechanical backaction and for the development of a new technology base founded on the capability of detecting extremely small external forces. In a host of formats trapped atomic ions have been proposed as ideal candidates for the detection of small forces, including applications in materials science. Using small crystals of 9Be+ in a Penning trap, we demonstrate detection of forces as small as 174 yN (yocto = 10-24) using a crystal of 60 ions. Force detection sensitivity using this crystal is calculated to be 390+/-150 yN/ √Hz using phase-sensitive detection of an externally applied electric field, and we extract a normalized force detection sensitivity of ~50+/-20 yN/ √Hz for n = 1. This result is approximately four orders of magnitude better than previous reports of sensitive force detection due to the small mass of harmonically confined trapped-ion resonators. This technique is based on the excitation of normal motional modes in an ion trap and phase-coherent Doppler velocimetry, which allows for the discrimination of ion motion with amplitudes on the scale of nanometers, and represents a significant advancement in the precision measurement of small forces. |
| Citation: |
Nature Physics |
| Volume: |
5 |
| Pages: |
pp. 646 - 650 |
| Keywords: |
Doppler velocimetry;force sensitivity;ion traps;laser cooling;Penning trap;yocto-Newton |
| Research Areas: |
Laser Cooling, Time and Frequency, Physics, Ion Trapping |
| PDF version: |
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