6533b835fe1ef96bd129ec2e
RESEARCH PRODUCT
Dynamics of a Ferromagnetic Particle Levitated Over a Superconductor
Dmitry BudkerDmitry BudkerDmitry BudkerYehuda B. BandDerek F. Jackson KimballSean LouretteMetin KayciMetin KayciTao WangS. R. O'kelleyAlexander O. Sushkovsubject
SuperconductivityPhysicsCondensed Matter - Mesoscale and Nanoscale PhysicsCondensed matter physicsSpinsQuantum limitGeneral Physics and AstronomyFOS: Physical sciencesPhysics - Applied Physics02 engineering and technologyApplied Physics (physics.app-ph)021001 nanoscience & nanotechnology01 natural sciencesPhysics::Fluid DynamicsFerromagnetismCondensed Matter::Superconductivity0103 physical sciencesMesoscale and Nanoscale Physics (cond-mat.mes-hall)PrecessionLevitationTorque010306 general physics0210 nano-technologyMicroscale chemistrydescription
Under conditions where the angular momentum of a ferromagnetic particle is dominated by intrinsic spin, applied torque is predicted to cause gyroscopic precession of the particle. If the particle is sufficiently isolated from the environment, a measurement of spin precession can potentially yield sensitivity to torque beyond the standard quantum limit. Levitation of a micron-scale ferromagnetic particle above a superconductor is a possible method of near frictionless suspension enabling observation of ferromagnetic particle precession and ultrasensitive torque measurements. We experimentally investigate the dynamics of a micron-scale ferromagnetic particle levitated above a superconducting niobium surface. We find that the levitating particles are trapped in potential minima associated with residual magnetic flux pinned by the superconductor and, using an optical technique, characterize the quasiperiodic motion of the particles in these traps.
| year | journal | country | edition | language |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018-10-19 |