Quantum ground-state cooling of two librational modes of a nanorotor

Controlling the motion of nanoscale objects at the quantum limit promises new tests of quantum mechanics and advanced sensors. Rotational motion is of particular interest, as it follows nonlinear dynamics in a compact, closed configuration space, giving rise to a plethora of phenomena and applications beyond the possibilities of free or trapped linear motion. A prerequisite for such experiments is the capability to trap nanorotors and initialize them in a quantum ground state of libration. Here, we demonstrate the reliable, repetitive laser-induced loading of silica nanodimers and trimers into an optical tweezer. Coherent scattering in a high-finesse cavity allows us to cool two different librational modes to the quantum ground state with occupation numbers as low as nβ = 0.54 ± 0.32 and nα = 0.21 ± 0.03. By simultaneously cooling both degrees of freedom (nβ = 0.73 ± 0.22, nα = 1.02 ± 0.08) we align nanorotors to a space-fixed axis with precision better than 20 μrad, close to the zero-point amplitude of librations.