title: Nonlinear mode coupling and synchronization of a vacuum-trapped nanoparticle.
abstract: We study the dynamics of a laser-trapped nanoparticle in high vacuum. Using parametric coupling to an external excitation source, the linewidth of the nanoparticle's oscillation can be reduced by three orders of magnitude. We show that the oscillation of the nanoparticle and the excitation source are synchronized, exhibiting a well-defined phase relationship. Furthermore, the external source can be used to controllably drive the nanoparticle into the nonlinear regime, thereby generating strong coupling between the different translational modes of the nanoparticle. Our work contributes to the understanding of the nonlinear dynamics of levitated nanoparticles in high vacuum and paves the way for studies of pattern formation, chaos, and stochastic resonance.
authors.affiliation: ICFO-Institut de Ciencies Fotoniques, Mediterranean Technology Park, 08860 Castelldefels (Barcelona), Spain.
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gieseler
authors.affiliation: ICFO-Institut de Ciencies Fotoniques, Mediterranean Technology Park, 08860 Castelldefels (Barcelona), Spain and Institut of Physics, University of Belgrade, Pregrevica 118, 11080 Belgrade, Serbia.
authors.forename: Marko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Spasenović
authors.affiliation: Photonics Laboratory, ETH Zürich, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Lukas
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Novotny
authors.affiliation: ICFO-Institut de Ciencies Fotoniques, Mediterranean Technology Park, 08860 Castelldefels (Barcelona), Spain and ICREA-Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats, 08010 Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Romain
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Quidant
mesh_terms: D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D017711:Nonlinear Dynamics; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000737:chemistry; D014618:Vacuum
chemical_list: D012822:Silicon Dioxide