title: Quantum tomography of a molecular bond in ice.
abstract: We present the moving picture of a molecular bond, in phase-space, in real-time, at resolution limited by quantum uncertainty. The images are tomographically reconstructed Wigner distribution functions (WDF) obtained from four-wave mixing measurements on Br2-doped ice. The WDF completely characterizes the dissipative quantum evolution of the system, which despite coupling to the environment retains quantum coherence, as evidenced by its persistent negative Wigner hole. The spectral decomposition of the WDF allows a direct visualization of wavefunctions and spatiotemporal coherences of the system and the system-bath interaction. The measurements vividly illustrate nonclassical wave mechanics in a many-body system, in ordinary condensed matter.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, California 92697-2025, USA.
authors.forename: I U
authors.initials: IU
authors.lastname: Goldschleger
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, California 92697-2025, USA.
authors.forename: I U
authors.initials: IU
authors.lastname: Golschleger
authors.forename: M N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: van Staveren
authors.forename: V Ara
authors.initials: VA
authors.lastname: Apkarian