Interferometric control of nanorotor alignment

TL;DR

This paper introduces a quantum interferometry scheme for controlling the alignment of nanorotors using a superposition of orientations, enabling precise steering from aligned to antialigned states.

Contribution

It presents a rotational analog of Mach-Zehnder interferometry for symmetric rotors, demonstrating control over their quantum orientation states.

Findings

Interferometric control persists despite imperfections.

Superposition of four orientations at quantum revival time.

Weak laser pulses effectively steer rotor alignment.

Abstract

The intrinsically non-linear rotation dynamics of rigid bodies offer unprecedented ways to exploit their quantum motion. In this Letter we devise a rotational analog of Mach-Zehnder interferometry, which allows steering symmetric rotors from fully aligned to completely antialigned. The scheme uses a superposition of four distinct orientations, emerging at the eighth of the quantum revival time, whose interference can be controlled by a weak laser pulse. We develop a semiclassical model of the effect and demonstrate that it persists even in presence of imperfections and decoherence.