Control of Molecular Rotation with a Chiral Pulse Train

POSTER

Abstract

Trains of ultrashort laser pulses separated by the time of rotational revival (typically, tens of picoseconds) have been exploited for creating ensembles of aligned molecules. In this work we introduce a chiral pulse train -- a sequence of linearly polarized pulses with the polarization direction rotating from pulse to pulse by a controllable angle. The chirality of such a train, expressed through the period and direction of its polarization rotation, is used as a new control parameter for achieving selectivity and directionality of laser-induced rotational excitation. The method employs chiral trains with a large number of pulses separated on the time scale much shorter than the rotational revival (a few hundred femtoseconds), enabling the use of conventional pulse shapers.

Authors

  • Casey Bloomquist

  • A. Knecht

    Oregon State University, University of Idaho, Department of Chemistry, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, School of EECS, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, CO, Oregon Health and Science University, Linfield College, Purdue University, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Montana State University, University of British Columbia, University of Washington, Cornell University, Philipps-University, 35032 Marburg, Germany, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, Physics Department, SUNY Binghamton, Physics Department, Oregon State University, Argonne National Laboratory

  • A. Knecht

    Oregon State University, University of Idaho, Department of Chemistry, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, School of EECS, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, CO, Oregon Health and Science University, Linfield College, Purdue University, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Montana State University, University of British Columbia, University of Washington, Cornell University, Philipps-University, 35032 Marburg, Germany, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, Physics Department, SUNY Binghamton, Physics Department, Oregon State University, Argonne National Laboratory

  • A. Knecht

    Oregon State University, University of Idaho, Department of Chemistry, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, School of EECS, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, CO, Oregon Health and Science University, Linfield College, Purdue University, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Montana State University, University of British Columbia, University of Washington, Cornell University, Philipps-University, 35032 Marburg, Germany, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, Physics Department, SUNY Binghamton, Physics Department, Oregon State University, Argonne National Laboratory

  • A. Knecht

    Oregon State University, University of Idaho, Department of Chemistry, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, School of EECS, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, CO, Oregon Health and Science University, Linfield College, Purdue University, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Montana State University, University of British Columbia, University of Washington, Cornell University, Philipps-University, 35032 Marburg, Germany, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, Physics Department, SUNY Binghamton, Physics Department, Oregon State University, Argonne National Laboratory