Quantum dynamics of a levitated ferromagnetic gyroscope

Abstract

We develop a quantum model for the rotational dynamics of a freely floating levitated ferromagnetic gyroscope (LFG), emphasizing the interplay between intrinsic spin $\boldsymbol{S}$, mechanical angular momentum $\boldsymbol{L}$, and magnetic torque. The conserved total angular momentum projection along the $z$-directed magnetic field $\boldsymbol{B}$, $J_z=S_z+L_z$, is quantized, leading in the small-libration-amplitude limit to discrete precessional states $|m\rangle$ (eigenstates of $J_z$ with eigenvalues $J_z = m\hbar$) and librational harmonic oscillator states $|n\rangle$ ($n=0,1,2,\ldots$). The discreteness of the energies and dynamical variables is governed by the quantum precession scale $Ω_Q=\hbar/I$, where $I$ is the moment of inertia of the LFG. We find that the phenomenon of LFG precession persists into high-field regimes where the magnitude of the rotational angular momentum associated with precession exceeds the total intrinsic spin. We analyze the complementary quantum limits of localized semiclassical LFG orientation wave packets and exact $J_z$-eigenstates $|m\rangle$, clarifying the relation between classical precession signals and the underlying quantized spin-rotor dynamics. We further show that radio-frequency fields can drive $Δm = \pm 1$ and $Δn = \pm 1$ transitions, enabling ladder spectroscopy, tilt-angle control, and sideband-like coupling between precession and libration. The coupled dynamics also exhibit branch-point magnetic resonances where precession and librational motion become strongly coupled. These results establish a framework for using LFGs not only as ultrasensitive torque and magnetic-field sensors, but also as controllable mesoscopic quantum systems. The techniques developed here may be applied to searches for exotic, beyond-the-standard model spin-dependent interactions, ultralight dark matter, and spin-gravity couplings.