在这项研究中，研究人员成功实现了对氢氧化钙（CaOH）中单个量子态的相干控制，并展示了一种探测电子电偶极矩（eEDM）的方法。研究人员通过制备光学阱中的超冷氢氧化钙分子，在电场中极化，并将其相干转移到eEDM敏感态，从而进行电子自旋进动测量。为了延长相干时间，研究人员还利用了具有可调谐近零磁场灵敏度的eEDM敏感状态。这一研究成果为在多原子分子阱中搜索eEDM开辟了新的途径。
据悉，超冷多原子分子被认为是量子科学实验以及超越标准模型的物理精确搜索的潜在候选者。要实现这一潜力，一个关键的要求是能够实现对分子内部结构的完全量子控制。
附：英文原文
Title: Quantum control of trapped polyatomic molecules for eEDM searches
Author: Loic Anderegg, Nathaniel B. Vilas, Christian Hallas, Paige Robichaud, Arian Jadbabaie, John M. Doyle, Nicholas R. Hutzler
Issue&Volume: 2023-11-10
Abstract: Ultracold polyatomic molecules are promising candidates for experiments in quantum science and precision searches for physics beyond the Standard Model. A key requirement is the ability to achieve full quantum control over the internal structure of the molecules. In this work, we established coherent control of individual quantum states in calcium monohydroxide (CaOH) and demonstrated a method for searching for the electron electric dipole moment (eEDM). Optically trapped, ultracold CaOH molecules were prepared in a single quantum state, polarized in an electric field, and coherently transferred into an eEDM-sensitive state where an electron spin precession measurement was performed. To extend the coherence time, we used eEDM-sensitive states with tunable, near-zero magnetic field sensitivity. Our results establish a path for eEDM searches with trapped polyatomic molecules.
DOI: 10.1126/science.adg8155
Source: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adg8155