Researchers have observed “quantum superchemistry” in the lab for the first time. Long theorized but never seen before, quantum superchemistry is a phenomenon in which atoms or molecules in the same quantum state react chemically faster than atoms or molecules in different quantum states. A quantum state is a set of properties of a quantum particle, such as its spin (momentum) or energy level.

To observe this new supercharged chemistry, the researchers needed to put all molecules, not just atoms, into the same quantum state. But when they did, they found that the chemical reactions took place collectively, not individually. And the more atoms involved, the higher the density of the atoms, the faster the chemical reactions.

“What we saw matched the theoretical predictions,” said Cheng Chin, professor of physics at the University of Chicago, who led the research. “This has been a scientific goal for 20 years, so it’s a very exciting period.”

“What we saw matched the theoretical predictions,” said Cheng Chin, professor of physics at the University of Chicago, who led the research. “This has been a scientific goal for 20 years, so it’s a very exciting period.”

The team reported their findings July 24 in the journal Nature Physics. They observed quantum superchemistry in cesium atoms that combine to form molecules. First, they cooled the cesium gas to near absolute zero, to the point where all movement stopped. In this cooled state, they can easily transfer each cesium atom to the same quantum state. They then altered the surrounding magnetic field to initiate chemical bonds of atoms.

These atoms reacted faster to form diatomic cesium molecules than when the researchers did the experiment in a normal, uncooled gas. The resulting molecules also had the same quantum state for at least a few milliseconds, after which the atoms and molecules began to oscillate and break apart.

“With this technique, you can put molecules in the same state,” Chin said.

The researchers discovered that although the final result of the reaction is a diatomic molecule, three atoms are actually involved and the spare atom interacts with the two bonding atoms in a way that facilitates the reaction.

This can be useful for applications in quantum chemistry and quantum computing because molecules in the same quantum state share common physical and chemical properties. Experiments are part of the field of ultracold chemistry that aims to gain incredibly detailed control over chemical reactions by exploiting the quantum interactions that occur in these cold states. Ultra-cold particles can be used, for example, as information-carrying qubits or quantum bits in quantum computing.

Chin said the research uses only simple molecules, so the next goal is to try to create quantum superchemistry with more complex molecules.

“How far we can advance our understanding and knowledge of quantum engineering to more complex molecules is an important area of ​​research in this scientific community,” he said. Source