Harvard team uses laser to cool polyatomic molecule

Amazing stuff! Could be a breakthrough!

"The study ... describes using a novel method combining cryogenic technology and direct laser light to cool the nonlinear polyatomic molecule calcium monomethoxide (CaOCH3) to just above absolute zero. ... The scientists believe their experiment marks the first time such a large complex molecule has been cooled using laser light ... “Controlling perfectly their quantum states is basic research that could shed light on fundamental quantum processes in these building blocks of nature.” ... “With molecules, they have motion that does not occur in atoms — vibrations and rotations. When the molecule absorbs and emits light this process can sometimes make the molecule spin around or vibrate internally. When this happens, it is now in a different quantum state and absorbing and emitting light no longer works [to cool it]. We have to ‘calm the molecule down,’ get rid of its extra vibration before it can interact with the light the way we want.” ... They turned on two beams of light on the molecule, coming from opposing directions. The counterpropagating lasers prompted a reaction known as Sisyphus cooling. ..."

"Experimental progress over the past few decades has led to the mastery of ultracold atomic gases. A major thrust of current research is to extend this success to ultracold molecules, which would open qualitatively new perspectives for quantum information science, precision measurement, quantum chemistry, and other fields. ... The proposed scheme for cooling is potentially applicable to a wide range of nonlinear polyatomic molecules ..."

Harvard team uses laser to cool polyatomic molecule – Harvard Gazette By slowing polyatomic molecule, scientists open new paths of quantum study

Here is the link to the underlying paper (no public access):
Direct laser cooling of a symmetric top molecule