English

Interferometric control of nanorotor alignment

Quantum Physics 2022-02-18 v2

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.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.2110.01301,
  title  = {Interferometric control of nanorotor alignment},
  author = {Birthe Schrinski and Benjamin A. Stickler and Klaus Hornberger},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2110.01301},
  year   = {2022}
}

Comments

6 pages, 2 figures; corresponds to published version

R2 v1 2026-06-24T06:35:59.952Z