Light: Science & Applications (Jul 2024)

Entangled photons enabled ultrafast stimulated Raman spectroscopy for molecular dynamics

  • Jiahao Joel Fan,
  • Zhe-Yu Ou,
  • Zhedong Zhang

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41377-024-01492-4
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 13, no. 1
pp. 1 – 8

Abstract

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Abstract Quantum entanglement has emerged as a great resource for studying the interactions between molecules and radiation. We propose a new scheme of stimulated Raman scattering with entangled photons. A quantum ultrafast Raman spectroscopy is developed for condensed-phase molecules, to monitor the exciton populations and coherences. Analytic results are obtained, showing an entanglement-enabled time-frequency scale not attainable by classical light. The Raman signal presents an unprecedented selectivity of molecular correlation functions, as a result of the Hong-Ou-Mandel interference. Our work suggests a new paradigm of using an unconventional interferometer as part of spectroscopy, with the potential to unveil advanced information about complex materials.