Non-destructive State Detection and Spectroscopy of Single Molecules

Mudit Sinhal; Ziv Meir; Stefan Willitsch

doi:10.2533/chimia.2021.291

Non-destructive State Detection and Spectroscopy of Single Molecules

Authors

Mudit Sinhal Department of Chemistry, University of Basel, Klingelbergstrasse 80, CH-4056 Basel, Switzerland
Ziv Meir Department of Chemistry, University of Basel, Klingelbergstrasse 80, CH-4056 Basel, Switzerland
Stefan Willitsch Department of Chemistry, University of Basel, Klingelbergstrasse 80, CH-4056 Basel, Switzerland;, Email: stefan.willitsch@unibas.ch

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.2533/chimia.2021.291

PMID:

33902797

Keywords:

Cold molecular ions, Ion traps, N 2, Precision spectroscopy, Quantum-logic spectroscopy

Abstract

We review our recent experimental results on the non-destructive quantum-state detection and spectroscopy of single trapped molecules. At the heart of our scheme, a single atomic ion is used to probe the state of a single molecular ion without destroying the molecule or even perturbing its quantum state. This method opens up perspectives for new research directions in precision spectroscopy, for the development of new frequency standards, for tests of fundamental physical concepts and for the precise study of chemical reactions and molecular collisions with full control over the molecular quantum state.