Scientists at the University of California, Riverside are making significant strides in the exploration of quantum wave functions and their behavior in atomically thin materials. This cutting-edge research, led by Nathaniel Gabor, professor of physics and astronomy at UCR, aims to unravel the intricate dynamics of quantum excitations as they traverse ultra-thin layered materials. Their findings could revolutionize solar energy technologies and usher in innovative advances in quantum computing.
At the heart of this scientific endeavor is the newly established Center for Quantum Vibronics in Energy and Time, or QuVET. Formed just two years ago, QuVET’s mission is to decode the complex interplay between vibrational modes and electronic quantum states — a field known as vibronics. This interdisciplinary consortium amalgamates expertise spanning physics, chemistry, engineering, and biochemistry from multiple institutions, all united by the objective of understanding how molecular vibrations influence quantum mechanical properties in both natural and synthetic systems.
Quantum mechanics governs the behavior of matter and energy on the smallest scales — atomic and subatomic levels — where classical physics fails to offer adequate descriptions. In this realm, a particle like an electron is best described not just as a localized entity but as a quantum wave function, a probability distribution encapsulating all possible states and positions the particle can inhabit simultaneously. The ability to manipulate these wave functions precisely is fundamental to advancing numerous quantum technologies.
The recent wave of publications from QuVET researchers, including three high-profile papers designated as Editors’ Suggestions, has outlined groundbreaking methods to control quantum wave functions in atomically thin materials. These ultra-thin bilayer structures, consisting of materials only a few atoms thick, reveal new phenomena where the spatial distribution of quantum states can be tuned via external electric fields.
In a landmark study published in Physical Review Letters, the team demonstrated an innovative approach to shifting a positively charged quantum wave function between two layers of a bilayer tungsten diselenide (WSe2) device using an applied electric field. This experimental platform enables the wave function to occupy either one layer exclusively, the other, or exist simultaneously in both layers — a captivating manifestation of quantum superposition that directly impacts the optical response of the material.
Nathaniel Gabor elaborates on this phenomenon, describing it as a delicate quantum balancing act. By tuning voltages, researchers can dictate the location of the wave function at will, effectively modulating the material’s electronic and optical properties in real time. This level of control was once considered experimental science fiction, yet it now paves the way for the creation of devices that leverage quantum superposition for enhanced functionality.
Additional papers co-authored by Gabor’s QuVET colleagues Xiaoyang Zhu and Eric Arsenault from Columbia University delve deeper into the manipulation of quantum states within layered two-dimensional materials. Their experiments explore how these quantum excitations can be steered and manipulated, potentially laying the groundwork for next-generation energy conversion systems and nanoscale quantum devices.
One of the most compelling parallels drawn by the researchers stems from biological systems. Gabor points out that the unusual transport of electron wave functions in biology — the basis for photosynthesis — involves a charge-neutral excitation journeying through molecules before charge separation occurs at reaction centers. This natural quantum choreography enables efficient harvesting of solar energy and inspires synthetic analogs.
The QuVET team’s efforts involve replicating these natural quantum transport mechanisms in engineered bilayer materials. They aim to harness the quantum mechanical principle that wave functions can exist simultaneously in different locations, enabling novel forms of quantum control. Their work suggests that by leveraging electric fields, and potentially vibrations within the crystal lattice, quantum states can be switched and directed with remarkable precision.
Importantly, the researchers aspire to realize a “quantum vibronic switch.” By employing lattice vibrations — the subtle movements of atoms within a crystal — as a control knob, they hope to dynamically toggle quantum transitions on and off. This principle, once mastered, could lead to groundbreaking quantum devices that utilize vibrational modes for switching purposes, vastly increasing the control circuitry available in quantum technology.
This research not only enhances our fundamental understanding of quantum wave dynamics but carries significant implications for improving energy conversion efficiency in photovoltaic devices. In solar cells, the timely separation of neutral excitations into free charge carriers is crucial for electricity generation. Delay or inefficiency here leads to energy loss as heat or light, limiting performance. Mimicking biological speed and efficiency through engineered quantum systems could dramatically improve solar energy harvesting.
To probe these ultrafast quantum phenomena, the QuVET researchers employ advanced spectroscopy techniques capable of resolving events occurring on femtosecond (10^-15 seconds) and picosecond (10^-12 seconds) timescales. These tools allow direct observation of quantum transitions as they happen, providing unprecedented insight into the fleeting yet vital processes governing energy conversion and quantum control.
Beyond energy applications, the principles uncovered hold promise for the realm of quantum computing. Understanding and manipulating vibronic effects could enable more reliable quantum bits or qubits, enhance quantum coherence times, and introduce new avenues for secure quantum communications. The dynamic control of wave functions via electric fields and vibrations could form the backbone of future quantum logic devices with exceptional speed and efficiency.
Tania Paskova of the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command underlines the strategic significance of this research. By decoding and harnessing vibronic effects, scientists can create artificial systems that replicate biological quantum functionalities. Such advancements bear enormous potential for defense technologies involving quantum computing, secure communications, and sensitive quantum sensors, with transformative impacts anticipated for military and civilian sectors alike.
Funded by a Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative grant from the U.S. Army Research Office, this work exemplifies how fundamental quantum science fuels technological innovation. QuVET’s multidisciplinary approach, blending theory and experiment, positions it at the frontier where new quantum phenomena are not only observed but harnessed for practical use, marking a profound step towards quantum-enabled future technologies.
In a field evolving with breathtaking speed, the ability to experimentally manipulate quantum wave functions and vibrational coupling on atomic scales remains as awe-inspiring today as it was decades ago. UCR’s QuVET researchers continue to illuminate these quantum frontiers, blending theory, experiment, and inspiration from nature to transform our technological landscape.
Subject of Research: Not applicable
Article Title: Brightening Interlayer Excitons by Electric-Field-Driven Hole Transfer in Bilayer WSe2
News Publication Date: 6-Mar-2026
Web References:
https://www.quvetquantum.com/
https://news.ucr.edu/articles/2024/03/22/new-center-positions-uc-riverside-leader-quantum-vibronics
https://journals.aps.org/prl/abstract/10.1103/mjhj-83wc
https://physics.aps.org/articles/v19/s67
Image Credits: Credit: Stan Lim, UC Riverside.
Keywords: Quantum wave function, vibronics, layered materials, electric field control, quantum superposition, bilayer WSe2, atomically thin devices, photosynthesis quantum mechanisms, quantum vibronic switch, solar energy conversion, quantum computing, ultrafast spectroscopy
