NIST physicists have developed a new technique to control the quantum properties of individual charged molecules, using quantum logic operations similar to those used in future quantum computers. The method, which gently probes the molecule with a laser and detects its state indirectly, could lead to more sophisticated quantum information processing architectures, improved measurement of fundamental physics questions, and better control of chemical reactions.
The technique builds on NIST’s previous work with atomic ions and could be applied to a wide range of molecular ions without changing the experimental setup. Researchers demonstrated the method using a calcium hydride molecular ion, showing they could manipulate its rotational states and transfer quantum information between the molecule and an atomic ion.
The new control method could have significant implications for quantum technologies, offering more versatility for distributing quantum information and potentially enabling more precise measurements of fundamental physics questions. The work was supported by the U.S. Army Research Office and published in Nature.
Keywords: molecular ions, quantum state, rotational states
