Research
Quantum interference keeps two atoms bound despite enough energy to break apart
Phys.org ·
The Brief
- Researchers at RPTU report experimental observation of a quantum state in which two atoms stay bound together despite having enough energy to break apart.
- The binding is attributed to quantum interference, according to the source summary.
- The source is a brief summary; further technical details are not provided in the given excerpt.
Why it matters
It provides experimental evidence that quantum interference can stabilise bound states that classical expectations would consider unstable, which is relevant to understanding molecular and atomic binding.
Who’s affected
- atomic and molecular physicists
- quantum chemistry researchers
- #quantum interference
- #bound states
- #atomic physics
- #quantum states
- #molecules
How can something remain intact when it should naturally break apart? This question has been addressed by researchers at RPTU. Their work has led to the experimental observation of an unusual quantum state in which two atoms remain bound together even though they possess enough…