Non-destructive inelastic recoil spectroscopy of a single molecular ion: a versatile tool toward precision action spectroscopy

TL;DR

This paper introduces a new non-destructive recoil spectroscopy method for single molecular ions, promising high precision measurements with broad applicability, including detecting parity violations in chiral molecules.

Contribution

The paper presents a versatile, non-destructive spectroscopy technique compatible with high precision, capable of approaching quantum logic resolution with less demanding requirements.

Findings

Successfully measured spectra of two molecular ion species

Current spectral resolution is modest due to broad light source

Method has potential for high-resolution applications in precision spectroscopy

Abstract

We demonstrate a novel single molecule technique that is compatible with high precision measurements and obtain the spectrum of two molecular ion species. While the current result yields modest spectral resolution due to a broad light source, we expect the method to ultimately provide resolution comparable to quantum logic methods with significantly less stringent requirements. Adaptations of this technique will prove useful in a wide range of precision spectroscopy arenas including the search for parity violating effects in chiral molecules.