Harini Wimalasekera, Khetpakorn Chakarawet, Anitha Alanthadka, R. David Britt, Natia Frank

Philos Trans A Math Phys Eng Sci, 2026, 384(2313), 20250255.

This work describes a method of controlling magnetic properties of a molecule using light. The molecule can exist in two different magnetic states, of which are interconverted by light. Advanced magnetic resonance spectroscopy shows that as light changes the magnetic state of the molecule, it triggers a change in quantum decoherence — an important feature for technologies like quantum sensors and quantum computers. This work shows that light can function as a switch to control the magnetic behavior of molecules, opening new possibilities for optical control of quantum system.