Interferometric control of nanorotor alignment
arXiv:2110.01301 · doi:10.1103/PhysRevA.105.L021502
Abstract
The intrinsically non-linear rotation dynamics of rigid bodies offer unprecedented ways to exploit their quantum motion. In this Letter we devise a rotational analog of Mach-Zehnder interferometry, which allows steering symmetric rotors from fully aligned to completely antialigned. The scheme uses a superposition of four distinct orientations, emerging at the eighth of the quantum revival time, whose interference can be controlled by a weak laser pulse. We develop a semiclassical model of the effect and demonstrate that it persists even in presence of imperfections and decoherence.
6 pages, 2 figures; corresponds to published version
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