Three Dimensional Alignment of Molecules Using Elliptically Polarized Laser Fields

Jakob Juul Larsen, Kasper Hald, Nis Bjerre, Henrik Stapelfeldt, and Tamar Seideman
Phys. Rev. Lett. 85, 2470 – Published 18 September 2000
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Abstract

We demonstrate, theoretically and experimentally, that an intense, elliptically polarized, nonresonant laser field can simultaneously force all three axes of a molecule to align along given axes fixed in space, thus inhibiting the free rotation in all three Euler angles. Theoretically, the effect is illustrated through time dependent quantum mechanical calculations. Experimentally, 3,4-dibromothiophene molecules are aligned with a nanosecond laser pulse. The alignment is probed by 2D ion imaging of the fragments from a 20 fs laser pulse induced Coulomb explosion.

  • Received 9 May 2000

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.85.2470

©2000 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Jakob Juul Larsen1, Kasper Hald2, Nis Bjerre1, and Henrik Stapelfeldt2

  • 1Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Århus, DK-8000 Århus C, Denmark
  • 2Department of Chemistry, University of Århus, DK-8000 Århus C, Denmark

Tamar Seideman

  • Steacie Institute for Molecular Science, National Research Council of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1A OR6

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Vol. 85, Iss. 12 — 18 September 2000

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