vibrational tagged posts

Preparation and coherent manipulation of pure quantum states of a single molecular ion. Nature 545, 203–207 (11 May 2017) doi:10.1038 (link is external)/nature22338. Chemistry, Metrology, AtoCredit: N. Hanacek/NIST

NIST physicists have solved the seemingly intractable puzzle of how to control the quantum properties of individual charged molecules, or molecular ions. The solution is to use the same kind of “quantum logic” that drives an experimental NIST atomic clock. The new technique achieves an elusive goal, controlling molecules as effectively as laser cooling and other techniques can control atoms. Quantum control of atoms has revolutionized atomic physics, leading to applications such as atomic clocks...