Welcome to the World of Non-Hermitian Dynamics: Observing Nonreciprocal Interactions with Trapped Glass Nanoparticles
Using two optically trapped glass nanoparticles, researchers recently made a groundbreaking discovery in the realm of nonreciprocal interactions. In a study published in Nature Physics, the team from the University of Vienna observed a novel collective dynamic driven by non-Hermitian and nonlinear forces, expanding traditional optical levitation techniques.
Fundamental forces such as gravity and electromagnetism are typically reciprocal, with objects either attracting or repelling each other. However, more complex interactions found in nature often exhibit nonreciprocity, where symmetry is broken. These nonreciprocal systems can be likened to the dynamic between a predator and prey, where one is attracted while the other is repelled. In the realm of quantum mechanics, non-Hermitian dynamics describe these nonreciprocal systems by incorporating dissipation, gain, and non-conservative interactions.
The research team, led by Uroš Delić from the Vienna Center for Quantum Science and Technology (VCQ), developed a tabletop experiment using optical tweezers to trap and control the motion of two glass nanoparticles. By tuning laser beam phases and particle distances, the researchers were able to create a system where the nanoparticles interacted nonreciprocally, resembling a predator-prey chase dynamic.
Through careful manipulation of the system, the researchers observed a positive feedback loop that amplified the amplitudes of the particles’ motion, leading to continuous oscillation. This nonlinear and nonreciprocal behavior demonstrated the potential for new applications in force and torque sensing, as well as the exploration of nonreciprocally interacting quantum few-body systems.
The team’s findings, supported by a collaborative analytical model from Ulm University and the University of Duisburg-Essen, offer a glimpse into the exciting world of non-Hermitian dynamics and nonlinear forces. As the researchers continue to push the boundaries of optical trapping technology, the potential for even richer collective dynamics and groundbreaking discoveries in quantum mechanics awaits.
With this innovative study, the possibilities for exploring new frontiers in physics and sensing applications are endless. Stay tuned for more groundbreaking research in the fascinating realm of nonreciprocal interactions with trapped glass nanoparticles.