Datensatz

Zusammenfassung

We use laser-induced rotation of single molecules embedded in superfluid
helium nanodroplets to reveal angular momentum dynamics and transfer in a
controlled setting, under far-from-equilibrium conditions. As an unexpected
result, we observe pronounced oscillations of time-dependent molecular
alignment that have no counterpart in gas-phase molecules. Angulon theory
reveals that these oscillations originate from the unique rotational structure
of molecules in He droplets and quantum-state-specific transfer of rotational
angular momentum to the many-body He environment on picosecond timescales. Our
results pave the way to understanding collective effects of macroscopic angular
momentum exchange in solid state systems in a bottom-up fashion.