Cold molecules extend measurement time
A helper atom reveals quantum states.
- Event / announcement date
- 2025-12-09
NIST reported 99.8% successful manipulation of a calcium monohydride ion’s rotational state in December 2025. Cooling kept the state intact about 18 seconds before thermal radiation disrupted it. [1]
NIST’s 2017 demonstration established why a helper atom matters. Molecules have many vibrational and rotational states, making them difficult to read directly. Coupling a molecule’s motion to a calcium ion lets a state change become a flash of light. That earlier experiment operated at room temperature. The measurement can reveal a state without destroying it. Both ions carry charge; their repulsion couples their motion without requiring the molecule itself to scatter the readable light. [2]
The longer interval allows thousands of measurement attempts. NIST proposes molecular thermometers for clocks; chemical-reaction control remains distant. [1]
The source
- NIST: Molecular control ↗
Source date 2025-12-18 · reviewed October 29, 2026 · publication - NIST: Earlier quantum logic method ↗
Source date 2017-05-10 · reviewed October 29, 2026 · publication
About this item: Retrospective report. No first-hand reporting or independent testing is claimed. Corrections policy.
