Nanoscale electric field sensing using a levitated nano-resonator with net charge

Abstract

The nanomechanical resonator based on a levitated particle exhibits unique advantages in the development of ultrasensitive electric field detectors. We demonstrate a three-dimensional, high-sensitivity electric field measurement technology using the optically levitated nanoparticle with known net charge. By scanning the relative position between nanoparticle and parallel electrodes, the three-dimensional electric field distribution with microscale resolution is obtained. The measured noise equivalent electric intensity with charges of 100 e reaches the order of 1    μV ⋅ cm − 1 ⋅ Hz − 1 / 2 at 1.4 × 10 − 7    mbar . Linearity analysis near resonance frequency shows a measured linear range over 91 dB limited only by the maximum output voltage of the driving equipment. This work may provide an avenue for developing a high-sensitivity electric field sensor based on an optically levitated nano-resonator.