Directional quantum-controlled chemistry: Generating aligned ultracold molecules via photoassociation

S. Kallush, J. L. Carini, P. L. Gould, and R. Kosloff
Phys. Rev. A 96, 053613 – Published 10 November 2017

Abstract

Photoassociation of ultracold atoms with pulsed laser light is shown to lead to alignment of the product molecules along the excitation laser polarization axis. We theoretically investigate pulsed two-photon photoassociation of Rb87 atoms into a specific weakly bound level of the a3Σu+ metastable electronic state and find both stationary and time-dependent field-free alignment. Although a transform-limited pulse yields significant alignment, a frequency-chirped pulse dramatically enhances the ultracold molecular formation rate at the cost of a slight decrease in the alignment. Employing multiple pulses synchronized with the vibrational and rotational periods leads to coherent enhancement of both population and alignment of the target state. Inclusion of the rotational degree of freedom in the model gives rise to processes with multiple quantum paths, which lead to quantum effects such as interference and coherence revivals.

  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Received 21 June 2017
  • Revised 27 September 2017

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.96.053613

©2017 American Physical Society

Physics Subject Headings (PhySH)

Atomic, Molecular & Optical

Authors & Affiliations

S. Kallush1,2, J. L. Carini3,*, P. L. Gould3, and R. Kosloff2

  • 1Department of Physics and Optical Engineering, ORT-Braude College, P.O. Box 78, 21982 Karmiel, Israel
  • 2The Fritz Haber Research Center, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91904, Israel
  • 3Department of Physics, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269, USA

  • *Present address: 400 Main St., East Hartford, CT 06118, USA.

Article Text (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand

References (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand
Issue

Vol. 96, Iss. 5 — November 2017

Reuse & Permissions
Access Options
CHORUS

Article Available via CHORUS

Download Accepted Manuscript
Author publication services for translation and copyediting assistance advertisement

Authorization Required


×
×

Images

×

Sign up to receive regular email alerts from Physical Review A

Log In

Cancel
×

Search


Article Lookup

Paste a citation or DOI

Enter a citation
×