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Rotational coherence of encapsulated ortho and para water in fullerene-C₆₀ revealed by time-domain terahertz spectroscopy.

ABSTRACT: We resolve the real-time coherent rotational motion of isolated water molecules encapsulated in fullerene-C₆₀ cages by time-domain terahertz (THz) spectroscopy. We employ single-cycle THz pulses to excite the low-frequency rotational motion of water and measure the subsequent coherent emission of electromagnetic waves by water molecules. At temperatures below?~?100 K, C₆₀ lattice vibrational damping is mitigated and the quantum dynamics of confined water are resolved with a markedly long rotational coherence, extended beyond 10 ps. The observed rotational transitions agree well with low-frequency rotational dynamics of single water molecules in the gas phase. However, some additional spectral features with their major contribution at?~2.26 THz are also observed which may indicate interaction between water rotation and the C₆₀ lattice phonons. We also resolve the real-time change of the emission pattern of water after a sudden cooling to 4 K, signifying the conversion of ortho-water to para-water over the course of 10s hours. The observed long coherent rotational dynamics of isolated water molecules confined in C₆₀ makes this system an attractive candidate for future quantum technology.

SUBMITTER: Zhukov SS

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7592058 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Rotational coherence of encapsulated ortho and para water in fullerene-C60 revealed by time-domain terahertz spectroscopy.

Zhukov Sergey S SS Balos Vasileios V Hoffman Gabriela G Alom Shamim S Belyanchikov Mikhail M Nebioglu Mehmet M Roh Seulki S Pronin Artem A Bacanu George R GR Abramov Pavel P Wolf Martin M Dressel Martin M Levitt Malcolm H MH Whitby Richard J RJ Gorshunov Boris B Sajadi Mohsen M

Scientific reports 20201027 1

We resolve the real-time coherent rotational motion of isolated water molecules encapsulated in fullerene-C60 cages by time-domain terahertz (THz) spectroscopy. We employ single-cycle THz pulses to excite the low-frequency rotational motion of water and measure the subsequent coherent emission of electromagnetic waves by water molecules. At temperatures below ~ 100 K, C60 lattice vibrational damping is mitigated and the quantum dynamics of confined water are resolved with a ...[more]

PMID: 33110105

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Dataset Information

Rotational coherence of encapsulated ortho and para water in fullerene-C₆₀ revealed by time-domain terahertz spectroscopy.

Publications

Rotational coherence of encapsulated ortho and para water in fullerene-C<sub>60</sub> revealed by time-domain terahertz spectroscopy.

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