# Repeatable laser measurements reveal 'forbidden' vibrations in single molecules without destroying them

Source: [Physics News - Physics News, Material Sciences, Science News, Physics](https://phys.org/news/2026-11-laser-reveal-forbidden-vibrations-molecules.html) · 2026-11-10 · Physics
Page: https://themorning.science/story/repeatable-laser-measurements-reveal-forbidden-vibrations-in-single-molecules-wi-d86ea2801d35abc6
Kind: research · Impact: low

## In brief

- Researchers at the University of Basel identified and controlled 'forbidden' vibrational excitations in single molecules.
- The measurements were reported as repeatable and performed without destroying the molecules.
- The source describes the work as a possible basis for clocks, quantum bits and tests of fundamental physics, but this is a potential application rather than a demonstrated result.

## Why it matters

Controlling forbidden molecular vibrations in single molecules could open routes to highly accurate clocks, quantum bits and precise tests of fundamental physical laws.

## Timeline

- 2026-11-10: Physics News reported the University of Basel results on forbidden molecular vibrations

## Coverage

- [Repeatable laser measurements reveal 'forbidden' vibrations in single molecules without destroying them](https://phys.org/news/2026-11-laser-reveal-forbidden-vibrations-molecules.html) — Physics News - Physics News, Material Sciences, Science News, Physics, 2026-11-10

Tags: molecular spectroscopy, laser physics, single molecules, quantum bits, precision measurement

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Brief generated by AI (claude-haiku-5-5) from the reporting listed under Coverage. Headlines belong to their publishers. The Morning Science – https://themorning.science