Nano- and microparticle Nonlinear Damping Identification in quadrupole trap

We propose a Nonlinear Damping Identification method for charged nano- and microparticles in a linear quadrupole Paul trap under nonlinear damping forces. We analytically and numerically evaluate conditions for the formation of plane limit cycle trajectories, i.e. “extended orbits” in spherical particle approximation. We introduce numerical metrics for such orbits and define a functional relation between the metrics and physical parameters of a trapped particle: size, mass, and charge. The method proposed allows non-destructive, simultaneous and separate determination of the trapped particle parameters in a wide range of sizes. • Extended orbits, the limit cycles of particle motion in a quadrupole Paul trap, are formed under nonlinear drag force. • Spectral composition of the extended orbit is uniquely determined by the size-mass-charge ratios of a trapped mesoscopic particle. • Nonlinear dynamics analysis of a trapped charged nano- and microparticle allows determining its size, mass, and charge non-destructively, simultaneously, and independently.