Scientists reach the ultimate quantum limit on a surface

Scientists have achieved a quantum breakthrough by creating an ultra-clean surface where individual molecules can maintain their delicate quantum properties at the fundamental limit. The discovery could unlock record-setting control over molecules and help drive the next generation of quantum technologies. Scientists reach the ultimate quantum limit on a surface.

For the first time, researchers have demonstrated that molecules attached to a surface can reach the ultimate quantum limit of optical coherence, overcoming a major obstacle that has long restricted molecular quantum research. The findings, published in Science, could open new possibilities for investigating how molecules interact with surfaces and developing advanced quantum technologies. Why Surfaces Have Been a Major Obstacle in Quantum Physics Many emerging quantum technologies depend on extremely small objects, such as individual atoms and molecules, that interact with light.

Known as quantum emitters, these tiny systems can produce single particles of light called photons, store quantum information, and help establish quantum connections between distant systems. These capabilities are important for future applications in quantum computing and secure quantum communication. To study a single quantum emitter, scientists must keep it stable and confined to one location for extended periods.