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Updated: Jun 4, 2026
10:52
Direct Imaging of Laser-driven Ultrafast Molecular Rotation
Published on: February 4, 2017
Driving rotational transitions in molecules on a chip.
Gabriele Santambrogio1, Samuel A Meek, Mark J Abel
1Fritz-Haber-Institut der Max-Planck-Gesellschaft, Faradayweg 4-6, 14195 Berlin, Germany. gabriele.santambrogio@fhi-berlin.mpg.de
Summary
Researchers demonstrate inducing quantum state transitions in polar molecules on a chip using sub-terahertz radiation. This enables on-chip manipulation and guiding of carbon monoxide (CO) molecules in selected rotational states.
Area of Science:
- Quantum physics
- Molecular manipulation
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Polar molecules can be controlled with electric fields on microstructured chips.
- Quantum state manipulation is crucial for advanced molecular control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate inducing quantum state transitions in polar molecules while on a chip.
- To characterize sub-terahertz (mm-wave) radiation for molecular manipulation.
- To demonstrate on-chip recapture and guiding of molecules in different quantum states.
Main Methods:
- Utilized carbon monoxide (CO) molecules in the a(3)Π(1), v=0 state, prepared in the J=1 rotational level.
- Employed narrow-band sub-THz (mm-wave) radiation to induce the J=2←J=1 rotational transition.
- Characterized mm-wave source using Rabi cycling and rapid adiabatic passage in a molecular beam.
- Demonstrated coupling of mm-wave radiation to molecules within 50 μm of the chip surface.
Main Results:
- Successfully induced rotational transitions in CO molecules on-chip.
- Confirmed efficient coupling of mm-wave radiation to molecules near the chip.
- Showcased guiding of J=1 molecules to the chip center, pumping to J=2, recapture, and guiding off-chip.
Conclusions:
- On-chip quantum state manipulation of polar molecules is feasible using mm-wave radiation.
- This technique allows for controlled state transfer and subsequent molecular guiding.
- Opens possibilities for integrated quantum devices utilizing molecular states.
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