Abstract
The intrinsically nonlinear rotation dynamics of rigid bodies offer unprecedented ways to exploit their quantum motion. In this Letter, we devise a rotational analog of Mach-Zehnder interferometry, which allows steering symmetric rotors from fully aligned to completely antialigned. The scheme uses a superposition of four distinct orientations, emerging at the eighth of the quantum revival time, whose interference can be controlled by a weak laser pulse. We develop a semiclassical model of the effect and demonstrate that it persists even in presence of imperfections and decoherence.
- Received 1 October 2021
- Accepted 2 February 2022
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.105.L021502
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