Topic: Physics

Physicists at UBC and Freiburg University created a new optical centrifuge to control molecule rotation in superfluids. This tool will help scientists study how molecules interact with their surroundings.

Physicists have developed a new way to control the rotation of molecules inside tiny droplets of liquid helium, called superfluids. Superfluids are special liquids that flow without any resistance and can dissolve other molecules within them.

The team used a specially designed optical centrifuge to spin molecules suspended in liquid helium nano-droplets. This allowed scientists to precisely control the rotation of molecules, giving them a powerful new tool for exploring these unusual materials.

Researchers can now directly adjust both the direction and speed of a molecule's rotation. This will help them investigate how molecules interact with their quantum surroundings at different rotational frequencies.

The work was led by researchers at the University of British Columbia (UBC) in collaboration with the University of Freiburg. The achievement represents the first successful demonstration of controlled molecular rotation inside a superfluid.

Why It Matters

Understanding how molecules interact with their surroundings is crucial for developing new technologies and materials. This research will help scientists create more efficient and innovative solutions for various industries, benefiting society as a whole.

Key Facts

• Physicists at UBC and Freiburg University created a new optical centrifuge to control molecule rotation in superfluids.
• Superfluids are special liquids that flow without any resistance and can dissolve other molecules within them.
• The team used liquid helium nano-droplets doped with dimers of nitric oxide to achieve controlled molecular rotation.
• Researchers can now directly adjust both the direction and speed of a molecule's rotation.
• The work was supported by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, the Canada Foundation for Innovation, and the BC Knowledge Development Fund.

Key Terms

Superfluid

A special liquid that flows without any resistance and can dissolve other molecules within it.

Optical Centrifuge

A device that uses light to spin molecules suspended in a liquid.

Implications

Understanding how molecules interact with their surroundings is crucial for developing new technologies and materials. This research will help scientists create more efficient and innovative solutions for various industries, benefiting society as a whole.