Nuclear dynamics in quantum clusters

Abstract

We address recent developments in the exploration of quantum nuclear dynamics in large, finite, low-temperature systems, focusing on Bose–Einstein condensates (T≃100 nK), optical molasses (T≃10–100 μK) and aromatic molecule·He_n clusters (T = 0.4 K). The expansion of optical molasses bears a close analogy to the nuclear dynamics of Coulomb explosion of multicharged clusters. Spectroscopy of electronic–vibrational excitations of anthracene·He_n clusters manifests large nuclear quantum effects, nonrigidity, large scale confinement and permutational symmetry effects. Perspectives for the novel research area of nuclear dynamics of ultracold finite systems are advanced.