Quantum Electric Dipole Lattice : Water Molecules Confined to Nanocavities in Beryl. / Dressel, Martin; Zhukova, Elena S.; Thomas, Victor G. et al.
In: Journal of Infrared, Millimeter, and Terahertz Waves, Vol. 39, No. 9, 01.09.2018, p. 799-815.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Quantum Electric Dipole Lattice
T2 - Water Molecules Confined to Nanocavities in Beryl
AU - Dressel, Martin
AU - Zhukova, Elena S.
AU - Thomas, Victor G.
AU - Gorshunov, Boris P.
PY - 2018/9/1
Y1 - 2018/9/1
N2 - Water is subject to intense investigations due to its importance in biological matter but keeps many of its secrets. Here, we unveil an even other aspect by confining H2O molecules to nanosize cages. Our THz and infrared spectra of water in the gemstone beryl evidence quantum tunneling of H2O molecules in the crystal lattice. The water molecules are spread out when confined in a nanocage. In combination with low-frequency dielectric measurements, we were also able to show that dipolar coupling among the H2O molecules leads towards a ferroelectric state at low temperatures. Upon cooling, a ferroelectric soft mode shifts through the THz range. Only quantum fluctuations prevent perfect macroscopic order to be fully achieved. Beside the significance to life science and possible application, nanoconfined water may become the prime example of a quantum electric dipolar lattice.
AB - Water is subject to intense investigations due to its importance in biological matter but keeps many of its secrets. Here, we unveil an even other aspect by confining H2O molecules to nanosize cages. Our THz and infrared spectra of water in the gemstone beryl evidence quantum tunneling of H2O molecules in the crystal lattice. The water molecules are spread out when confined in a nanocage. In combination with low-frequency dielectric measurements, we were also able to show that dipolar coupling among the H2O molecules leads towards a ferroelectric state at low temperatures. Upon cooling, a ferroelectric soft mode shifts through the THz range. Only quantum fluctuations prevent perfect macroscopic order to be fully achieved. Beside the significance to life science and possible application, nanoconfined water may become the prime example of a quantum electric dipolar lattice.
KW - Dielectric spectroscopy
KW - Dipolar interaction
KW - Ferroelectricity
KW - Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy
KW - Quantum tunneling
KW - THz spectroscopy
KW - Water
KW - VIBRATIONAL-STATES
KW - D2O
KW - OPTICAL-CONSTANTS
KW - H2O
KW - ICE
KW - SPECTROSCOPY
KW - WATER-MOLECULES
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85042194584&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1007/s10762-018-0472-8
DO - 10.1007/s10762-018-0472-8
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85042194584
VL - 39
SP - 799
EP - 815
JO - Journal of Infrared, Millimeter, and Terahertz Waves
JF - Journal of Infrared, Millimeter, and Terahertz Waves
SN - 1866-6892
IS - 9
ER -
ID: 13121625