Li, W.Pohl, T.Rost, J. M.Rittenhouse, Seth T.Sadeghpour, HosseinNipper, J.Butscher, B.Balewski, J. B.Bendkowsky, V.Löw, R.Pfau, T.2023-02-132011Li, W., T. Pohl, J. M. Rost, Seth T. Rittenhouse, H. R. Sadeghpour, J. Nipper, B. Butscher, et al. 2011. A Homonuclear Molecule with a Permanent Electric Dipole Moment. Science 334, no. 6059: 1110–1114.0036-80751095-9203https://nrs.harvard.edu/URN-3:HUL.INSTREPOS:37374347Permanent electric dipole moments in molecules require a breaking of parity symmetry. Conventionally, this symmetry breaking relies on the presence of heteronuclear constituents. We report the observation of a permanent electric dipole moment in a homonuclear molecule in which the binding is based on asymmetric electronic excitation between the atoms. These exotic molecules consist of a ground-state rubidium (Rb) atom bound inside a second Rb atom electronically excited to a high-lying Rydberg state. Detailed calculations predict appreciable dipole moments on the order of 1 Debye, in excellent agreement with the observations.en-USJournal Article2023-02-1310.1126/science.1211255