Quantum-beat analysis of the rotational-vibrational dynamics in D$_2^+$

The rapid ionization of D$_2$ in a short and intense laser pulse generates a rotational-vibrational nuclear wave packet in D$_2^+$. By solving the time-dependent Schr\"odinger equation in full dimensionality, we simulate the coherent evolution of such wave packets and discuss their ro-vibrational dynamics. Within a harmonic time-series analysis of the evolving nuclear probability density [1], we characterize the ro-vibrational dynamics in D$_2^+$ in an external intense linearly polarized infrared laser field in terms of quantum-beat spectra in which both, the internuclear distance and molecular orientation relative to the laser field are resolved. In particular, we discuss quantum-beat spectra that reveal 1) the transition frequencies between stationary vibrational and rotational states, 2) the nodal structure of stationary vibrational rotational states, 3) ro-vibrational couplings, and 4) the imaging of field-dressed electronic potential curves of the molecular ion. [1] U. Thumm {\it et al.}, Phys. Rev. A {\bf 77}, 063401 (2008).