Quantum superpositions and decoherence of nanomechanical rotors

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Based on recent progress in the manipulation and control of optically levitated anisotropic particles, we aim at developing strategies for creating orientational quantum superpositions of nanomechanical rotors. We combine and optimize different methods to efficiently laser cool the orientation of a rigid body into the quantum regime, and we identify the cooling limits in presence of realistic environments. Beyond that, we propose experimentally realizable interference protocols, thus paving the way towards the first observation of orientational superpositions of nanoparticles. Finally, by deriving the quantum master equation of rotational diffusion, dissipation, and thermalization we provide the tools required for precision measurements of torques and for fundamental studies of single-particle thermodynamics.