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Observation of classical to quantum crossover in electron glass

Glass, a ubiquitous state of matter like a frozen liquid, is a seminal issue across fundamental and applied sciences and has long been investigated in the framework of classical mechanics. A challenge in glass physics is the exploration of the quantum-mechanical behaviour of glass. Experimentally, however, the real quantum manifestation of glass and the relationship between classical and quantum glass are totally unknown and remain to be observed in real systems. Here, we report the direct observation of classical-to-quantum evolution in the frustration-induced charge glass state exhibited by interacting electrons in organic materials. We employ Raman spectroscopy to capture a snapshot of the charge density distribution of each molecule in a series of charge glasses formed on triangular lattices with different geometrical frustrations. In less frustrated glass, the charge density profile exhibits a particle-like two-valued distribution; however, it becomes continuous and narrowed with increasing frustration, demonstrating the classical-to-quantum crossover. Moreover, the charge density distribution shows contrasting temperature evolution in classical and quantum glasses, enabling us to delineate energy landscapes with distinct features. The present result is the first to experimentally identify the quantum charge glass and show how it emerges from classical glass.