Optically levitated microspheres for precision force sensing at micron scales

Optically levitated microspheres form mechanical oscillators that eliminate clamping losses. Direct optical control and readout of the microsphere motion enables precise force sensing at micrometer length scales that are difficult to access with conventional approaches. This talk will present the experimental setup of a table-top optical levitation system at Stanford and our recent instrumentation developments for signal readout. Background reduction techniques and latest results on searching new gravity-like forces will also be discussed.