  Nanoparticles levitated by optical fields under vacuum conditions have
applications in quantum science, the study of nanothermodynamics and precision
sensing. Existing techniques for loading optical traps require ambient
conditions, and often involve dispersion in liquids, which can contaminate
delicate optics and lead to enhanced optical absorption and heating. Here we
present a clean, dry and generic mechanism for directly loading optical traps
at pressures down to 1\,mbar, exploiting Laser Induced Acoustic Desorption. Our
method allows rapid and efficient trapping, and is also suitable for
site-selective loading of nanofabricated particles grown on a silicon
substrate.
