Quantum Zeno Suppression of Intramolecular Forces

Area of Science:

• Quantum physics
• Atomic physics
• Molecular physics

Background:

• Born-Oppenheimer surfaces describe molecular electronic states.
• Rydberg atoms are highly excited atoms with large electron orbits.
• Interatomic forces in dimers depend on coherent electronic states.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate intrinsic decoherence of Born-Oppenheimer surfaces.
• To investigate the effect of decoherence on interatomic forces in Rydberg atom dimers.
• To explore controlled population transfer using decohering pulses.

Main Methods:

• Theoretical modeling of resonant dipole-dipole interactions in a Rydberg dimer.
• Simulation of continuous monitoring via background gas atom detection.
• Analysis of molecular energy surface evolution under decoherence.

Main Results:

• Born-Oppenheimer surfaces can intrinsically decohere, losing coherence among electronic states.
• Continuous monitoring destroys the coherent superposition of dimer states, affecting interatomic forces.
• Strong decoherence leads to a Zeno-like effect, ceasing interatomic forces and mixing state characters.
• Short decohering pulses enable controllable population redistribution between molecular energy surfaces.

Conclusions:

• Intrinsic decoherence is a fundamental property affecting molecular energy surfaces.
• Decoherence provides a mechanism to control interatomic forces and molecular states in Rydberg systems.
• Decohering pulses offer a novel method for manipulating quantum populations.