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When a molecule (two blue spheres) collides with an atom (single red sphere), an atom can be exchanged. A new molecule is produced (red and blue spheres) and an atom (single blue sphere) is released. In the experiment performed in Innsbruck this process is observed at temperatures of less than one millionth above the absolute zero. The exchange is completely determined by the quantum nature of the matter and can be controlled by a magnetic field. (Caption: Eureka Alert; Image: IQOQI) |
Press release from Institute for Quantum Optics and Quantum Information, Innsbruck, Austria.
Popular press coverage (not an exhaustive list):
 | Science Daily, ``Ultra-Cold Chemistry: First Direct Observation of Exchange Process in Quantum Gas,'' Feb. 2, 2010. |
| Lab Spaces, ``Featured Article: Ultra-cold chemistry,'' Feb. 2, 2010. |
| Nanowerk News, ``Ultracold Chemistry: First direct observation of exchange process in quantum gas,'' Feb. 2, 2010. |
| Physorg.com, ``Ultracold chemistry: First direct observation of exchange process in quantum gas,'' Feb. 2, 2010.
| Chemie.de, ``Ultra-cold chemistry,'' Feb. 2, 2010.
| Chemistry Times, ``Ultra-cold chemistry,'' Feb. 3, 2010.
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110. ``Magnetically controlled exchange process in an ultracold atom-dimer mixture,''
S. Knoop, F. Ferlaino, M. Berninger, M. Mark, H.-C. Naegerl, R. Grimm, J.P. D'Incao, and B.D. Esry,
Phys. Rev. Lett. 104, 053201 (2010).
Viewpoint by R.V. Krems,
``Ultracold controlled chemistry,''
Physics 3, 10 (2010).
Editor's suggestion.