For the first time, researchers have observed “superquantum chemistry” in the laboratory.
Long theorized but never seen before, quantum superchemistry is a phenomenon in which atoms or molecules in the same quantum state interact chemically more quickly than atoms or molecules in different quantum states. A quantum state is a set of properties of a quantum particle, such as its spin (angular momentum) or energy level.
To observe this new, supercharged chemistry, the researchers had to coax not just atoms, but entire molecules, into the same quantum state. However, when they did, they saw that the chemical reactions occurred collectively, rather than individually. The greater the number of atoms involved, which means the higher the density of the atoms, the faster the chemical reactions.
Cheng Chen, a professor of physics at the University of Chicago who led the research, said V.I statement. “This has been a science goal for 20 years, so it’s a very exciting era.”
Related: What is quantum entanglement?
Cheng Chen, a professor of physics at the University of Chicago who led the research, said V.I statement. “This has been a science goal for 20 years, so it’s a very exciting era.”
The team reported their findings July 24 in the journal Nature Physics. They observed the superior quantum chemistry in cesium atoms that couple to form molecules. First, they cooled the cesium gas to near absolute zero, the point at which all motion stops. In this cooled state, they can transform every cesium atom into the same quantum state. They then altered the surrounding magnetic field to trigger the chemical bonding of the atoms.
These atoms reacted together more quickly to form cesium diatomic molecules than when the researchers conducted the experiment in a normal, not very cooled gas. The resulting particles also share the same quantum state, at least for several milliseconds, after which the atoms and molecules begin to decay, no longer vibrating together.
“[W]With this technique, you can steer molecules into a congruent state.”
The researchers found that although the end result of the reaction was a two-atom molecule, three atoms were actually involved, with a spare atom interacting with two bonding atoms in a way that facilitates the reaction.
This could be useful for applications in quantum chemistry and quantum computing, where particles in the same quantum state share physical and chemical properties. The experiments are part of the field of cryogenic chemistry, which aims to gain incredibly detailed control of chemical reactions by taking advantage of the quantum interactions that occur in these cold states. Ultracold particles can be used as qubits, or quantum bits that carry information in quantum computing, for example.
Chen said the study only used simple particles, so the next goal is to try to create superior quantum chemistry with more complex particles.
“How far we can push our understanding and knowledge of quantum geometry, into more complex particles, is a major research direction in this scientific community,” he said.
This article was provided by Live Science.
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