Dry launching of silica nanoparticles in vacuum

Clean loading of silica nanoparticles with a radius as small [Formula: see text] nm is required for experiments in levitated optomechanics that operate ultra-high vacuum. We present cheap and simple experimental method dry launching by shaking from polytetrafluoroethylene surface (PTFE). report on the successful single minimum 43 nm, which enabled low stiction to surface. Nanoparticles radii 71.5 are launched high flux spread. The measured velocities significantly smaller than 1 m/s. demonstrated allows controlled into optical traps (ultra-)high vacuum, although we anticipate sizes equally feasible.