Laser-controlled switching of molecular arrays in an dissipative environment

Gereon Floß, Tillmann Klamroth, and Peter Saalfrank
Phys. Rev. B 83, 104301 – Published 21 March 2011

Abstract

The optical switching of molecular ensembles in a dissipative environment is a subject of various fields of chemical physics and physical chemistry. Here we try to switch arrays of molecules from a stable collective ground state to a state in which all molecules have been transferred to another stable higher-energy configuration. In our model switching proceeds through electronically excited intermediates which are coherently coupled to each other through dipolar interactions, and which decay incoherently within a finite lifetime by coupling to a dissipative environment. The model is quite general, but parameters are chosen to roughly resemble the all-trans all-cis isomerization of an array of azobenzene molecules on a surface. Using analytical and optimal control pulses and the concept of “laser distillation,” we demonstrate that for various aggregates (dimers up to hexamers), controlled and complete switching should be possible.

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  • Received 20 September 2010

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.83.104301

©2011 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Gereon Floß, Tillmann Klamroth, and Peter Saalfrank

  • Theoretische Chemie, Institut für Chemie, Universität Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Straße 24-25, D-14476 Potsdam-Golm

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Issue

Vol. 83, Iss. 10 — 1 March 2011

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