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Persistent URL http://purl.org/net/epubs/work/35778
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Record Id 35778
Title Macroscopic quantum tunneling of protons in the KHCO3 crystal
Contributors
Abstract Macroscopic quantum entanglement reveals an unforeseen mechanism for proton transfer across hydrogen bonds in the solid state. We utilize neutron scattering techniques to study proton dynamics in the crystal of otassiumhydrogencarbonate (KHCO3) composed of small planar centrosymmetric dimer entities ðHCOK3 Þ2 linked by moderately strong hydrogen bonds. All protons are indistinguishable, they behave as fermions, and they are degenerate. The sublattice of protons is a superposition of macroscopic single-particle states. At elevated temperature, protons are progressively transferred to secondary sites at z0.6 A ° from the main position, via tunnelling along hydrogen bonds. The macroscopic quantum entanglement, still observed at 300 K, reveals that proton transfer is a coherent process throughout the crystal arising from a superposition of macroscopic tunnelling states.
Organisation CCLRC , ISIS , ISIS-SXD
Keywords physics , quantum entanglement , neutron diffraction
Funding Information
Related Research Object(s): 35551
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Language English (EN)
Type Details URI(s) Local file(s) Year
Presentation Presented at H-Bond meeting, Denmark, Summer 2005. 2006