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Q: Fachverband Quantenoptik und Photonik

Q 50: Matter Wave Interferometry and Metrology II

Q 50.8: Talk

Thursday, March 5, 2026, 12:45–13:00, P 11

Quantum state-selective matter wave diffraction of cold molecules — •Shilpa Yadav, Sejun An, Kilian Hügel, JuHyeon Lee, Gerard Meijer, and Sandra Eibenberger-Arias — Fritz-Haber-Institut der Max-Planck-Gesellschaft, Faradayweg 4-6, 14195 Berlin, Germany.

We propose a novel scheme to spatially separate quantum states of molecules in the gas-phase. In our experiment, we will demonstrate quantum state-selective matter-wave diffraction at an optical grating. In combination with enantiomer-specific quantum state control [1, 2], this will even allow for the spatial separation of chiral molecules in the gas-phase. In my presentation, I will give details on the underlying motivation and physical principles [3,4], as well as information on the current status of the experiment.

1. S. Eibenberger, J. Doyle, and D. Patterson: Enantiomer-Specific State Transfer of Chiral Molecules. Physical Review Letters118, 123002 (2017)

2. J. H. Lee, E. Abdiha, B. G. Sartakov, G. Meijer, and S. Eibenberger-Arias: Near-complete chiral selection in rotational quantum states. Nature Communications 15, 7441 (2024)

3. A. D. Cronin, J. Schmiedmayer, and D. E. Pritchard: Optics and interferometry with atoms and molecules. Reviews of Modern Physics 81, 1051-1129 (2009)

4. K. Hornberger, S. Gerlich, P. Haslinger, S. Nimmrichter, and M. Arndt. Colloquium: Quantum interference of clusters and molecules. Reviews of modern Physics 84, 157-173 (2012)

Keywords: Coherent Control; Matter wave diffraction; Optical grating; chiral molecules; Far-field interferometer