Ultrafast infrared spectroscopy with single molecular ions

TL;DR

This paper introduces a quantum logic-based method for ultrafast infrared spectroscopy of single molecular ions, enabling detailed study of vibrational dynamics through recoil detection in a trapped ion system.

Contribution

It presents a novel approach combining quantum logic techniques with ultrafast laser pulses to probe vibrational dynamics of single molecular ions.

Findings

Feasibility of recoil detection for molecular ions in a Paul trap

Potential to study intra-molecular vibrational redistribution

Experimental requirements outlined for various molecular masses

Abstract

We propose a method to investigate the vibrational dynamics of single polyatomic molecular ions confined in a Paul trap. Quantum logic techniques are employed to detect the recoil of single photon absorption events in the molecule via a co-trapped atomic ion. In particular, the recoil is mapped onto the electronic state of the atom which can be read out with high fidelity. This recoil detection serves as the basis for a pump-probe scheme to investigate ultrafast molecular dynamics, such as intra-molecular vibrational redistribution. The total recoil from the interaction with a sequence of ultrafast laser pulses with the molecular vibration is measured. This work discusses the experimental requirements and expected performance for multiple molecular ions with masses ranging from 17 to 165 Dalton.