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@article{Gajewski:2026:2058-9565/ae99fb,
author = {Gajewski, R and Desai, RT and Bateman, J and Eliasson, B and Oi, DKL and Datta, A},
doi = {2058-9565/ae99fb},
journal = {Quantum Science and Technology},
title = {LEVITAS: Levitodynamics for accurate individual particle sensing in space},
url = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/2058-9565/ae99fb},
volume = {11},
year = {2026}
}
TY - JOUR
AB - Accurately observing the rarefied media of the upper atmosphere, exosphere, and planetary and Solar System environments beyond requires highly sensitive metrological techniques. We present the operating concept and architecture of a quantum sensing solution based on the dynamics of a levitated nanoparticle. It can detect and measure impacts of individual particles in rarefied media. Dubbed ‘LEVITAS’, our sensor consists of a levitated nanoparticle in the focus of a laser beam. The trapped nanoparticle constitutes a harmonic oscillator whose position can be tracked with precision close to the standard quantum limit by interferometric detection of the laser photons it scatters. We simulate individual impacts on the nanoparticle and show that the density, velocity, temperature, and composition of the surrounding medium can be estimated accurately. We illustrate the performance of LEVITAS in scenarios ranging from low Earth orbit out to exospheric distances, across which individual impacts can be detected at favourable rates. Furthermore, LEVITAS may be employed to accurately measure highly rarefied neutral distributions within vastly different areas of momentum space. This we demonstrate by simulating the measurement of high-velocity neutral gas particles from the interstellar medium penetrating the heliosphere and flowing through our Solar System. We outline the scope for quantum enhancements and other improvements for LEVITAS.
AU - Gajewski,R
AU - Desai,RT
AU - Bateman,J
AU - Eliasson,B
AU - Oi,DKL
AU - Datta,A
DO - 2058-9565/ae99fb
PY - 2026///
TI - LEVITAS: Levitodynamics for accurate individual particle sensing in space
T2 - Quantum Science and Technology
UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/2058-9565/ae99fb
VL - 11
ER -