A method for direct observation of quantum tunneling in a single molecule

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates a highly sensitive impedance measurement technique to directly observe quantum tunneling in a single molecule by detecting changes in electric susceptibility at the resonant frequency of a superconducting circuit.

Contribution

It introduces a novel method using impedance measurement to detect quantum tunneling in single molecules, enabling real-time monitoring of tunneling motion.

Findings

The technique can detect tunneling rates via phase angle measurements.

It allows monitoring of charged nuclei tunneling in individual molecules.

The method is highly sensitive and suitable for single-molecule analysis.

Abstract

An application of impedance measurement technique (IMT) for a detection of quantum tunneling in molecular structures is investigated. A charged particle which tunnels in a two-well potential is electrically coupled to a high-quality superconducting LC-circuit(tank) that makes possible a measurement of the electric susceptibility of the molecule at the resonant frequency of the tank. The real part of this susceptibility bears information about the tunneling rate through a measurable parameter - a phase angle between the tank voltage and a bias current applied to the tank. It is shown that the present approach is highly sensitive and allows the monitoring of the tunnel motion of charged nuclei in a single molecule.