Zou Yi-Quan, Berngruber Moritz, Anasuri Viraatt S V, Zuber Nicolas, Meinert Florian, Löw Robert, Pfau Tilman
5. Physikalisches Institut and Center for Integrated Quantum Science and Technology, Universität Stuttgart, Pfaffenwaldring 57, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany.
Phys Rev Lett. 2023 Jan 13;130(2):023002. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.130.023002.
Vibrational dynamics in conventional molecules usually takes place on a timescale of picoseconds or shorter. A striking exception are ultralong-range Rydberg molecules, for which dynamics is dramatically slowed down as a consequence of the huge bond length of up to several micrometers. Here, we report on the direct observation of vibrational dynamics of a recently observed Rydberg-atom-ion molecule. By applying a weak external electric field of a few millivolts per centimeter, we are able to control the orientation of the photoassociated ultralong-range Rydberg molecules and induce vibrational dynamics by quenching the electric field. A high resolution ion microscope allows us to detect the molecule's orientation and its temporal vibrational dynamics in real space. Our study opens the door to the control of molecular dynamics in Rydberg molecules.
传统分子中的振动动力学通常发生在皮秒或更短的时间尺度上。一个显著的例外是超长程里德堡分子，由于其高达几微米的巨大键长，其动力学显著减慢。在此，我们报告了对最近观测到的里德堡 - 原子 - 离子分子的振动动力学的直接观测。通过施加每厘米几毫伏的弱外部电场，我们能够控制光缔合超长程里德堡分子的取向，并通过猝灭电场来诱导振动动力学。高分辨率离子显微镜使我们能够在真实空间中检测分子的取向及其时间振动动力学。我们的研究为控制里德堡分子中的分子动力学打开了大门。
