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Annual Review of Physical Chemistry

Quantum-State Control and Manipulation of Paramagnetic Molecules with Magnetic Fields

Brianna R. Heazlewood

Published Jan 25, 2021• 12 citations

Abstract

Since external magnetic fields were first employed to deflect paramagnetic atoms in 1921, a range of magnetic field-based methods have been introduced to state-selectively manipulate paramagnetic species. These methods include magnetic guides, which selectively filter paramagnetic species from all other components of a beam, and magnetic traps, where paramagnetic species can be spatially confined for extended periods of time. However, many of these techniques were developed for atomic-rather than molecular-paramagnetic species. It has proven challenging to apply some of these experimental methods developed for atoms to paramagnetic molecules. Thanks to the emergence of new experimental approaches and new combinations of existing techniques, the past decade has seen significant progress toward the manipulation and control of paramagnetic molecules. This review identifies the key methods that have been implemented for the state-selective manipulation of paramagnetic molecules-discussing the motivation, state of the art, and future prospects of the field. Key applications include the ability to control chemical interactions, undertake precise spectroscopic measurements, and challenge our understanding of chemical reactivity at a fundamental level.

DOI: 10.1146/annurev-physchem-090419-053842

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Since external magnetic fields were first employed to deflect paramagnetic atoms in 1921, a range of magnetic field-based methods have been introduced to state-selectively manipulate paramagnetic species. These methods include magnetic guides, which selectively filter paramagnetic species from all other components of a beam, and magnetic traps, where paramagnetic species can be spatially confined for extended periods of time. However, many of these techniques were developed for atomic-rather than molecular-paramagnetic species. It has proven challenging to apply some of these experimental methods developed for atoms to paramagnetic molecules. Thanks to the emergence of new experimental approaches and new combinations of existing techniques, the past decade has seen significant progress toward the manipulation and control of paramagnetic molecules. This review identifies the key methods that have been implemented for the state-selective manipulation of paramagnetic molecules-discussing the motivation, state of the art, and future prospects of the field. Key applications include the ability to control chemical interactions, undertake precise spectroscopic measurements, and challenge our understanding of chemical reactivity at a fundamental level.

The motion of molecules that possess a permanent electric or magnetic dipole moment can be manipulated using electric or magnetic fields. Various devices have been developed over the last few decades to deflect or focus molecules, to orient them in space, and to decelerate or accelerate them. These precisely controlled molecules are ideal starting points for scattering experiments that reveal the quantum mechanical nature of molecular interactions. In this Tutorial Review, we present an overview of the various manipulation tools, discuss how they can be used to advantage in molecular beam scattering experiments, and review recent progress in this field. We describe a selection of benchmark experiments that illustrate the unique possibilities that are available nowadays to study molecular collisions under controlled conditions.

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Quantum-logic techniques for state preparation, manipulation, and non-destructive interrogation are increasingly being adopted for experiments on single molecular ions confined in traps. The ability to control molecular ions on the quantum level via a co-trapped atomic ion offers intriguing possibilities for new experiments in the realms of precision spectroscopy, quantum information processing, cold chemistry, and quantum technologies with molecules. The present article gives an overview of the basic experimental methods, recent developments and prospects in this field.

The goal of the present article is to review the major developments that have led to the current understanding of molecule–field interactions and experimental methods for manipulating molecules with electromagnetic fields. Molecule–field interactions are at the core of several, seemingly distinct areas of molecular physics. This is reflected in the organisation of this article, which includes sections on field control of molecular beams, external field traps for cold molecules, control of molecular orientation and molecular alignment, manipulation of molecules by non-conservative forces, ultracold molecules and ultracold chemistry, controlled many-body phenomena, entanglement of molecules and dipole arrays, and stability of molecular systems in high-frequency super-intense laser fields. The article contains 852 references.

This review puts into perspective the present state and prospects for controlling quantum phenomena in atoms and molecules. The topics considered include the nature of physical and chemical control objectives, the development of possible quantum control rules of thumb, the theoretical design of controls and their laboratory realization, quantum learning and feedback control in the laboratory, bulk media influences, and the ability to utilize coherent quantum manipulation as a means for extracting microscopic information. The preview of the field presented here suggests that important advances in the control of molecules and the capability of learning about molecular interactions may be reached through the application of emerging theoretical concepts and laboratory technologies.