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Phoenix666 writes:

An international team of researchers led by the University of Leicester has for the first time observed how a single two-atom-large molecule rotates in the coldest liquid known in nature.
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The interactions of molecules in liquids determines chemical reactions and biological processes.

In ordinary liquids the interactions between the molecules is too strong and overshadows the subtle features of rotations.

By choosing a very special liquid composed of helium atoms the researchers reduced the strength of the molecular interactions so that they had the chance to see single molecules rotating.

Lead author Dr Klaus von Haeften from the University of Leicester Department of Physics and Astronomy said: "To introduce molecules into the liquid helium we had to excite the helium using a discharge.

"This was necessary because ordinary molecules would freeze once they are introduced into liquid helium. By exciting helium in the discharge tiny gas bubbles were formed."

The researchers observed that by applying pressure the molecules within these bubbles would collide with the ultra-cold liquid and begin to cool and slow down their rotations.

Original Submission