An experimental platform for levitated mechanics in space
Abstract Conducting experiments in extreme conditions has long been the aim of the levitated mechanics field, as it allows for the investigation of new fundamental physics phenomena. Sending these experiments into the micro- g environment of space has been one such milestone, with multiple proposals calling for such a platform. At the same time, levitated sensors have demonstrated a high sensitivity to external stimuli, such as electric, magnetic and gravitational forces, which will only improve in low-vibrational conditions. This paper describes the development of a technology demonstrator for optical and magnetic trapping experiments in space. Our payload represents the first concrete step towards future missions with aims of probing fundamental physical questions: matter-wave interferometry of nanoparticles to probe the limits of macroscopic quantum mechanics, detection of Dark Matter candidates and gravitational waves to test physics beyond the Standard Model, and accelerometry for Earth-observation.
Authors
- Tim M. Fuchs (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6367-3948)
- Christopher Bridges (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0250-7529)
- Hendrik Ulbricht (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0356-0065)
- Christian Vogt (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5398-1525)
- Peter B. R. Nisbet-Jones (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3332-9905)
- Andrei Dragomir (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2815-6958)
- Florence Concepcion (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2770-066X)
- Jakub Wardak (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2348-1989)
- Rafael Muffato (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3344-747X)
- Jack Homans (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8413-0766)
- Elliot Simcox (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0004-8632-8126)
- Laura da Palma Barbara (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0008-0967-6142)
Institutions
- Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro (BR)
- Bremen Institute for Applied Beam Technology (DE)
- University of Surrey (GB)
- Rainbow Health Ontario (CA)
- Aquaculture Systems Technologies (United States) (US)
- University of Southampton (GB)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Quantum Science and Technology
- Published
- 2025-06-19
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1088/2058-9565/ade624
- Primary Topic
- Cold Atom Physics and Bose-Einstein Condensates
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- Leverhulme Trust
- Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt
- Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council