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Levitated optomechanics have invited growing interest partly due to their capabilities to reach high Q factors, >109, and for studies in force sensing, fluctuation theorems, nanothermodynamics and macroscopic quantum systems, to name a few. A levitated anisotropic particle, untethered from its environment can exhibit a rich spectrum of rotation and translational motion. Rotational motion is acutely dependant upon the size and shape of an object and the proprieties of the light which imparts angular momentum to the particle. It is also highly susceptible to changes to its environment, i.e. gas pressure or external conservative and non-conservative forces.
In this talk, I will present the latest efforts in rotational optomechanics, specifically looking at how rotation, libration, nutation and precession motion can arise in levitated systems, as well as the realisation of state control for rotating systems. Finally, I will present a proof-of-principle experimental work on precession motion, which we use for detecting optical torque as small as, $10{^-23}$ Nm, with the potential to reach torque sensitivities of 1$10^{-31}$ Nm/$\sqrt{Hz}$ [Rashid et al Phys. Rev. Lett. 121, 253601].
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