Design of high-efficiency UHV loading of nanodiamonds into a Paul trap: Towards Matter-Wave Interferometry with Massive Objects

Fuente: arXiv
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Main Authors: Benjaminov, Rafael, Liran, Sela, Dobkowski, Or, Bar-Haim, Yaniv, Averbukh, Michael, Folman, Ron
Format: Preprint
Published: 2025
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author Benjaminov, Rafael
Liran, Sela
Dobkowski, Or
Bar-Haim, Yaniv
Averbukh, Michael
Folman, Ron
author_facet Benjaminov, Rafael
Liran, Sela
Dobkowski, Or
Bar-Haim, Yaniv
Averbukh, Michael
Folman, Ron
contents Quantum mechanics (QM) and General relativity (GR), also known as the theory of gravity, are the two pillars of modern physics. A matter-wave interferometer with a massive particle, can test numerous fundamental ideas, including the spatial superposition principle - a foundational concept in QM - in completely new regimes, as well as the interface between QM and GR, e.g., testing the quantization of gravity. Consequently, there exists an intensive effort to realize such an interferometer. While several paths are being pursued, we focus on utilizing nanodiamonds as our particle, and a spin embedded in the ND together with Stern-Gerlach forces, to achieve a closed loop in space-time. There is a growing community of groups pursuing this path [1]. We are posting this technical note (as part of a series of seven such notes), to highlight our plans and solutions concerning various challenges in this ambitious endeavor, hoping this will support this growing community. In this work, we review current methods for loading nanodiamonds into a Paul trap, and their capabilities and limitations regarding our application. We also present our experiments on loading and launching nanodiamonds using a vibrating piezoelectric element and by electrical forces. Finally, we present our design of a novel nanodiamond loading method for ultra-high-vacuum experiments. As the production of highly accurate, high-purity nanodiamonds with a single NV required for interferometric measurements is expected to be expensive, we put emphasis on achieving high loading efficiency, while loading the charged ND into a Paul trap in ultra-high vacuum.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2508_14722
institution arXiv
publishDate 2025
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Design of high-efficiency UHV loading of nanodiamonds into a Paul trap: Towards Matter-Wave Interferometry with Massive Objects
Benjaminov, Rafael
Liran, Sela
Dobkowski, Or
Bar-Haim, Yaniv
Averbukh, Michael
Folman, Ron
Quantum Physics
General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology
Atomic Physics
Quantum mechanics (QM) and General relativity (GR), also known as the theory of gravity, are the two pillars of modern physics. A matter-wave interferometer with a massive particle, can test numerous fundamental ideas, including the spatial superposition principle - a foundational concept in QM - in completely new regimes, as well as the interface between QM and GR, e.g., testing the quantization of gravity. Consequently, there exists an intensive effort to realize such an interferometer. While several paths are being pursued, we focus on utilizing nanodiamonds as our particle, and a spin embedded in the ND together with Stern-Gerlach forces, to achieve a closed loop in space-time. There is a growing community of groups pursuing this path [1]. We are posting this technical note (as part of a series of seven such notes), to highlight our plans and solutions concerning various challenges in this ambitious endeavor, hoping this will support this growing community. In this work, we review current methods for loading nanodiamonds into a Paul trap, and their capabilities and limitations regarding our application. We also present our experiments on loading and launching nanodiamonds using a vibrating piezoelectric element and by electrical forces. Finally, we present our design of a novel nanodiamond loading method for ultra-high-vacuum experiments. As the production of highly accurate, high-purity nanodiamonds with a single NV required for interferometric measurements is expected to be expensive, we put emphasis on achieving high loading efficiency, while loading the charged ND into a Paul trap in ultra-high vacuum.
title Design of high-efficiency UHV loading of nanodiamonds into a Paul trap: Towards Matter-Wave Interferometry with Massive Objects
topic Quantum Physics
General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology
Atomic Physics
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2508.14722