Rotational coherence of encapsulated ortho and para water in fullerene-C₆₀ revealed by time-domain terahertz spectroscopy.

ABSTRACT: We resolve the real-time coherent rotational motion of isolated water molecules encapsulated in fullerene-C₆₀ cages by time-domain terahertz (THz) spectroscopy. We employ single-cycle THz pulses to excite the low-frequency rotational motion of water and measure the subsequent coherent emission of electromagnetic waves by water molecules. At temperatures below ~ 100 K, C₆₀ lattice vibrational damping is mitigated and the quantum dynamics of confined water are resolved with a markedly long rotational coherence, extended beyond 10 ps. The observed rotational transitions agree well with low-frequency rotational dynamics of single water molecules in the gas phase. However, some additional spectral features with their major contribution at ~2.26 THz are also observed which

SUBMITTER: Zhukov SS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7592058 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature