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Cold trapped molecular ions and hybrid platforms for ions and neutral particles

Nature Physics volume 20, pages 713–721 (2024)Cite this article

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Abstract

Recent years have seen the emergence of a new generation of collision and cold-chemistry experiments in which cold atoms and ions are brought into contact in a controlled way in hybrid platforms. Furthermore, new possibilities for the preparation and detection of molecular quantum states with high sensitivity and precision have been demonstrated based on quantum-logic schemes. Here we review experimental progress in the fields of hybrid atom–ion platforms and molecular ions. Our discussion includes the generation and control of motional and internal states of molecular ions, precision spectroscopy, cold collisions between ions and neutral atoms, as well as reactive and inelastic processes. These advances represent important stepping stones for new directions in fundamental research and technological applications across various domains ranging from precision measurements and studies of chemical dynamics to quantum technologies.

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Fig. 1: Hybrid platforms for ions and neutral particles.
Fig. 2: Formation processes of a molecular cation.
Fig. 3: Detection of molecular ions.
Fig. 4: Ion trapping.
Fig. 5: Inelastic and reactive processes.
Fig. 6: Charge-transfer reaction in a cold atom–ion hybrid trap.

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  1. Institut für Quantenmaterie and Center for Integrated Quantum Science and Technology, IQST, Universität Ulm, Ulm, Germany

    Markus Deiß & Johannes Hecker Denschlag

  2. Department of Chemistry, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland

    Stefan Willitsch

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  1. Markus Deiß
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Deiß, M., Willitsch, S. & Hecker Denschlag, J. Cold trapped molecular ions and hybrid platforms for ions and neutral particles. Nat. Phys. 20, 713–721 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41567-024-02440-0

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