We describe a method for sensing short range forces using matter-wave interference in dielectric nanospheres. When compared with atom interferometers, the larger mass of the nanosphere results in reduced wave-packet expansion, enabling investigations of forces nearer to surfaces in a free-fall interferometer. By laser cooling a nanosphere to the ground state of an optical potential and releasing it by turning off the optical trap, acceleration sensing at the ${10}^{-8}\mathrm{m}/{\mathrm{s}}^2$ level is possible. The approach can yield improved sensitivity to Yukawa-type deviations from Newtonian gravity at the $5\mu \mathrm{m}$ length scale by a factor of ${10}^4$ over current limits.

• Received 15 December 2014

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevD.92.062002