title: A homonuclear molecule with a permanent electric dipole moment.
abstract: Permanent electric dipole moments in molecules require a breaking of parity symmetry. Conventionally, this symmetry breaking relies on the presence of heteronuclear constituents. We report the observation of a permanent electric dipole moment in a homonuclear molecule in which the binding is based on asymmetric electronic excitation between the atoms. These exotic molecules consist of a ground-state rubidium (Rb) atom bound inside a second Rb atom electronically excited to a high-lying Rydberg state. Detailed calculations predict appreciable dipole moments on the order of 1 Debye, in excellent agreement with the observations.
authors: School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.
authors: W
authors: W
authors: Li
authors: T
authors: T
authors: Pohl
authors: J M
authors: JM
authors: Rost
authors: Seth T
authors: ST
authors: Rittenhouse
authors: H R
authors: HR
authors: Sadeghpour
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Nipper
authors: B
authors: B
authors: Butscher
authors: J B
authors: JB
authors: Balewski
authors: V
authors: V
authors: Bendkowsky
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Löw
authors: T
authors: T
authors: Pfau