In quantum logic, a single atomic ion is co-trapped together with a single molecular ion in a radio-frequency ion trap. Similar to strongly coupled pendulums, the two ions share normal modes of motion. This shared motion allows cooling, controlling, and detecting of the molecular ion via the atomic ion.
We will explore new types of quantum superpositions in molecules. One example is putting a single molecule in a quantum superposition of two distinct nuclear-spin-isomer states. In other words, we will bring a molecule to a quantum state where it both has and does not have a hyperfine structure.
We will use quantum techniques to improve precision spectroscopy in molecules and develop clocks based on vibrational transitions in molecules. Due to the different nature of vibration transitions in molecules compared to electronic transitions in atoms, these clocks will serve as sensitive detectors for new physics, such as dark matter.
