Hannover 2010 – scientific programme
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Q: Fachverband Quantenoptik und Photonik
Q 64: Matterwave Optics II
Q 64.2: Talk
Friday, March 12, 2010, 14:15–14:30, A 320
Distinction of structural isomers in molecule interferometry — •Sandra Eibenberger1, Stefan Gerlich1, Jens Tüxen2, Marcel Mayor2, and Markus Arndt1 — 1University of Vienna, Quantum Optics, Quantum Nanophysics, Quantum Information, Boltzmanngasse 5, 1090 Wien — 2University of Basel, Department of Chemistry, St. Johannsring 19, CH-4056 Basel
Kapitza-Dirac Talbot-Lau interferometry (KDTLI) has already been established as a well-adapted tool for studying the quantum wave nature of massive and complex particles.
De Broglie coherence is to first order only associated with the center-of-mass motion. In the presence of external perturbations, quantum metrology however also becomes highly sensitive to internal molecular properties, such as electric susceptibilities or dipole moments, which may affect the interference contrast or phase shift without introducing genuine decoherence.
New high-contrast interference measurements now show for the first time the possibility to distinguish two structural isomers, i.e. two sorts of perfluoralkyl-functionalized molecules with the same mass (1592 amu) and the same chemical sum formula.