Giant multi-field responses in artificial molecules for ultrafast switches

Artificial molecules, assembled by quantum dots or clusters, extend the frontiers of molecular physics by offering a platform to explore unprecedented phenomena, uncover new physical laws, and create materials with targeted functionalities. Here, we reveal that dimeric icosahedral M@Au₁₂ (M=Au, Pt, Ir, Os) clusters, which mimic natural diatomic molecules (e.g. N₂, CO) in orbital characteristics, exhibit emerging collective phenomena. Their inherently large polarizabilities and strong electron-phonon coupling give rise to pronounced quantum-confined Stark effect, electrostriction, and inverse piezoelectric effect—phenomena negligibly small in natural molecules and single clusters. Laser irradiation drives coherent structural expansion at femtosecond timescales, while natural molecules remain intact under identical conditions. These giant multi-physical responses enable artificial molecules for post-Moore quantum devices, such as ultrafast optoelectronics, quantum information processing, and intelligent sensing.