Breakthrough: Scientists develop artificial molecules that behave like real ones

Phys.org  June 8, 2023 Researchers in the Netherlands demonstrated a solid-state quantum simulator emulating molecular orbitals, based solely on positioning individual cesium atoms on an indium antimonide surface. Using scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy, combined with ab initio calculations, they showed that artificial atoms could be made from localized states created from patterned cesium rings. The artificial atoms served as building blocks to realize artificial molecular structures with different orbital symmetries. The corresponding molecular orbitals allowed them to simulate two-dimensional structures reminiscent of well-known organic molecules. This system serves as a versatile platform with which to emulate quantum chemistry on […]