Electron Phase Detection in Single Molecules by Interferometry

TL;DR

Scientists used interferometry to detect electron phases in single molecules, enabling quantum information readout at the smallest scale.

Contribution

A novel method for electronic interferometry in single-molecule devices using nonequilibrium Fano resonances.

Findings

Phase differences between electronic orbitals and Fabry–Perot resonances are tunable via electric fields.

Quantum information can be read out in single molecules using this technique.

This opens new possibilities for coherent manipulation at the molecular level.

Abstract

Interferometry has
underpinned a century of discoveries, ranging
from the disproval of the ether theory to the detection of gravitational
waves, offering insights into wave dynamics with unrivaled precision
through the measurement of phase relationships. In electronics, phase-sensitive
measurements can probe the nature of transmissive topological and
quantum states, but are only possible using complex device structures
in magnetic fields. Here we demonstrate electronic interferometry
in a single-molecule device through the study of nonequilibrium Fano
resonances. We show the phase difference between an electronic orbital
and a coupled Fabry–Perot resonance are tunable through electric
fields, and consequently it is possible to read out quantum information
in the smallest materials, offering new avenues for the coherent manipulation
down to single molecules.

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