We were interested in identifying design of nanoparticles that will enhance their refrigeration efficiency. We focused on maximizing their quantum yield while minimizing their non-radiative processes. In particular, we developed nanocrystals with and without an inert shell. We characterized the refrigeration efficiency by monitoring the temperature of the nanocrystals optically trapped in vacuum. Overall, we saw an increase in refrigeration efficiency for the shelled nanoparticle with a minimum temperature of ~150K. We will also show works towards controlling the motional temperature of the levitated nanoparticle paving the way towards absolute cooling in levitated optomechanics.
Levitated mesoscopic particles, with their intrinsic low coupling to the environment, are ideally suited as hybrid quantum platforms of mesoscopic size and mass. In vacuum, the only coupling to the environment is the levitation field itself, resulting in a mechanical oscillator with a very high-quality factor. Optically levitated systems in vacuum have recently entered the quantum realm with demonstration of cooling to the motional quantum ground state using passive and active feedback methods. The levitated particles in most of these experiments are optically inert such as SiO2 nanospheres. Here we are interested in studying and developing techniques suitable for the stable levitation of optically active nanoparticles such as rare-earth ion activated nanocrystals. In particular we will show experimental results on the laser refrigeration of levitated nanocrystals down to 150K and our efforts towards using measurement-based oscillator control for the absolute cooling of the levitated particle.
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