Optomechanical Detection of Individual Gas Collisions

• URL: http://arxiv.org/abs/2604.18371v1
• Date: Mon, 20 Apr 2026 14:58:50 GMT
• Title: Optomechanical Detection of Individual Gas Collisions
• Abstract summary: We experimentally demonstrate the detection of momentum transfers from individual collisions of Kr, Xe, and SF$_6$ with an optically levitated nanoparticle.<n>The reconstruction of impulse signals as small as 200 keV/$c$ further establishes that levitated optomechanical sensors can reach the sensitivity required for precision measurements of fundamental particle interactions.
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• License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
• Abstract: We experimentally demonstrate the detection of momentum transfers from individual collisions of Kr, Xe, and 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 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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