Method and device for storing free atoms, molecules and ions in a contact-less, albeit well-defined near surface arrangement

US12041864B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignees

• Paul Scherrer Institut · CH
• University Of Basel · CH
• Universität Heidelberg · DE
• Institutul National de Cercetare-Dezvoltare Pentru Technologii Izotopice Si Moleculare · RO

Inventors

• Thomas Jung · Wien, AT
• Aisha Ahsan · Basel, CH
• Sk Rejaul · Basel, CH
• Mehdi Heydari · Basel, CH
• Lutz Gade · Schallstadt, DE
• Luiza Tania Buimaga-Iarinca · Cluj-Napoca, RO
• Ioan Cristian Morari · Cluj-Napoca, RO

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 1, 2021
• Grant date: Jul 16, 2024
• Expiry date: Jun 3, 2042

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B82Y10/00
• WIPO field: Micro-structural and nano-technology
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

Surface supported quantum wells with a confined surface state capture and stably confine neutral atoms and molecules in a nanometer precise environment. Depending on the physico-chemical conditions in the capturing process, the degree of occupancy, the temperature of the solid substrate, and/or the history of external stimuli like electromagnetic field pulses, these atoms, molecules or clusters assume unique configurations. The atoms or molecules are able to remain coupled to the quantum-well specific electronic state in the confinement and as such exhibit local and delocalized quantum entanglement. The capturing potential arises from the superposition of Pauli repulsion between the captured object and the quantum well-specific confined electronic state. This occurs within on-surface atomic or supramolecular assemblies or surface supported coordination or covalent networks.