A groundbreaking development in physics research has emerged from a study led by Professor Jason Twamley and his research unit. The team has successfully fabricated a freely levitating rotor that spins out ultraprecise sensors for both classical and quantum physics applications. This cutting-edge rotor includes a black graphical disk that hovers over three circular magnets. It holds the potential to significantly improve measurements of gravity, gas pressure, momentum and other important processes.
The rotor features an intelligent construction that prevents friction disturbance. This makes its torque and angular momentum constant and immune to perturbation. This feature is critical for researchers who want to get the most precision from their experiments. USC Ph.D. student Daehee Kim was a co-author of the study. It exemplifies the multidisciplinary possibilities made possible by the use of this high-efficiency rotor.
The Design and Fabrication Process
They began by 3D printing a square plate using graphite powder. Then, they coated it in silica and satellite-embedded within wax to create the unique rotor construction. This process allowed the eddy currents to be contained in each powder grain. With this, the researchers greatly diminished eddy-current damping, a well-known complication that can disturb measurement accuracy.
To assemble the levitating rotor, the team used a one-centimeter graphite disk and four commercially available rare earth magnets. The axial symmetry of the rotor design guarantees that it sees no eddy-current damping, making it much smoother. This accomplishment has been experimentally demonstrated and analytically proven, a filing milestone in the 35-year-old field.
Professor Twamley was thrilled about the rotor’s unique flexibility. He stressed its possible uses in cutting-edge measurements that could deepen exploration in both classical and quantum physics. This increased control over the rotor’s movements enables researchers to perform highly granted investigations into diverse physical phenomena.
Implications for Classical and Quantum Physics
Yet the implications of this research go well beyond just improving the measurements. Beyond these practical applications, the ultraprecise sensors produced by the rotor hold great promise in revolutionizing our fundamental understanding of the physical world around us. More precise measurement of gravity tends to produce better models of how those gravitational interactions play out. Improvements in gas pressure measurements propel progress in atmospheric and energy environmental science and engineering.
In addition, the rotor’s design is a near-perfect fit with the most recent advances of quantum physics. Whether it’s measuring a quantum state, creating entanglement, or erasing it, precision is key to experimental demonstrations. Reducing distortion caused by extrinsic variables such as friction and damping is essential to achieving a high level of precision. This unprecedented advance creates new opportunities to run experiments requiring extreme precision.
As a result, the innovative research being carried out by Professor Twamley and his team is already attracting attention from the scientific community. The researchers have made their findings available under the DOI 10.1038/s42005-025-02318-4. This open-access publication gives colleagues physicists an easy and immediate opportunity to explore and validate our results.
Future Directions and Research Opportunities
While our researchers will be investigating what this ~ freely levitating~ rotor can do, there are many exciting prospects for future research. Exploring its potential across various experimental conditions might uncover novel insights into classical mechanics and the exciting frontier of quantum technologies.
Additionally, the methods created through this research can lead the way to new sensor and technology advancements. New sensors will transform aerospace engineering, materials science and medical diagnostics. Whether it’s manufacturing, construction, or trades like plumbing and flooring design, achieving success relies on the ability to make accurate measurements.