Switching Exciton Pulses Through Conical Intersections

Area of Science:

• Quantum physics
• Atomic physics
• Condensed matter physics

Background:

• Exciton pulses mediate energy and entanglement transfer in Rydberg aggregates.
• Directed motion of atoms is driven by resonant dipole-dipole interactions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate coherent splitting of exciton pulses.
• To achieve spatial segregation of electronic excitation and atomic motion.
• To utilize nonadiabatic effects at conical intersections for control.

Main Methods:

• Investigating exciton dynamics in Rydberg aggregates.
• Exploiting local nonadiabatic effects at conical intersections.
• Controlling exciton pulse propagation and coherence properties.

Main Results:

• Coherent splitting of exciton pulses was demonstrated.
• Spatial segregation of electronic excitation and atomic motion was achieved.
• Conical intersections were shown to control propagation direction and coherence.

Conclusions:

• Nonadiabatic effects at conical intersections can be harnessed, not just sources of decoherence.
• Sensitive control over exciton pulse propagation and coherence is possible.
• The findings have broad implications for excitons in dynamic networks.