Murphy, Connor E.Duenas, MarioIron, DanielNelson, TobiasD'Urso, Brian2024-12-052024-06Murphy, C. E., Duenas, M., Iron, D., Nelson, T., & D’Urso, B. (2024). Selective loading of a micrometer-scale particle into a magneto-gravitational trap by sublimation-activated release. Review of Scientific Instruments, 95(6).0034-6748https://scholarworks.montana.edu/handle/1/18994In this paper, we discuss a technique for selectively loading a particle into a magneto-gravitational trap using the sublimation of camphor to release particles from a tungsten probe tip directly into the trapping region. This sublimation-activated release (SAR) loading technique makes use of micropositioners with tungsten probe tips, as well as the relatively fast rate of sublimation of camphor at room temperature, to selectively load particles having diameters ranging from 8 to 100 μm or more. The advantages of this method include its ability to selectively load unique particles or particles in limited supply, its low loss compared to alternative techniques, the low speed of the particle when released, and the versatility of its design, which allows for loading into traps with complex geometries. SAR is demonstrated here by loading a particle into a magneto-gravitational trap, but the technique could also be applicable to other levitated optomechanical systems.en-USThis article may be downloaded for personal use only. Any other use requires prior permission of the author and AIP Publishing. This article appeared in [Selective loading of a micrometer-scale particle into a magneto-gravitational trap by sublimation-activated release. Review of Scientific Instruments 95, 6 (2024)] and may be found at https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0213468.http://web.archive.org/web/20180624131647/https://publishing.aip.org/authors/web-posting-guidelinesdiamagnetic materialsmagnetic fieldsultra-high vacuummagnetic levitation devicesion-trapoptomechanicsoptical trappinglasersArticle10.1063/5.0213468