Scientists at NIST have developed a new method to study individual molecules with unprecedented precision, using a combination of ion trapping and laser manipulation techniques. The team, led by David Leibrandt, was able to control and observe the rotational and vibrational states of a single calcium hydride molecular ion, despite the disruptive effects of thermal radiation.
The key innovation was using a co-trapped atomic ion to monitor the molecular ion’s motion, while applying carefully tuned laser pulses to manipulate its rotational states. By rapidly changing the laser frequencies and applying microwave pulses, the researchers were able to “intercept and return” the molecule to specific quantum states, increasing their observation success rate to 65%.
This technique opens up new possibilities for studying the properties of charged molecules, which are abundant in interstellar gas clouds and play a crucial role in star formation. The methods developed for calcium hydride can be extended to other molecular ions, providing valuable insights into their behavior and helping identify molecular “fingerprints” in space.
The research team, which included Yu Liu, Julian Schmidt, Zhimin Liu, David Leibrandt, James Chou, and Philipp Plessow, is now working on extending their control to molecular vibrations and developing more advanced laser tools to unlock even more detailed information about molecular behavior.
Keywords: Ion, Molecule, Laser, Quantum, Ion Trap
