Subcycle Controlled Charge-Directed Reactivity with Few-Cycle Midinfrared Pulses

I. Znakovskaya, P. von den Hoff, G. Marcus, S. Zherebtsov, B. Bergues, X. Gu, Y. Deng, M. J. J. Vrakking, R. Kienberger, F. Krausz, R. de Vivie-Riedle, and M. F. Kling
Phys. Rev. Lett. 108, 063002 – Published 8 February 2012
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Abstract

The steering of electron motion in molecules is accessible with waveform-controlled few-cycle laser light and may control the outcome of light-induced chemical reactions. An optical cycle of light, however, is much shorter than the duration of the fastest dissociation reactions, severely limiting the degree of control that can be achieved. To overcome this limitation, we extended the control metrology to the midinfrared studying the prototypical dissociative ionization of D2 at 2.1μm. Pronounced subcycle control of the directional D+ ion emission from the fragmentation of D2+ is observed, demonstrating unprecedented charge-directed reactivity. Two reaction pathways, showing directional ion emission, could be observed and controlled simultaneously for the first time. Quantum-dynamical calculations elucidate the dissociation channels, their observed phase relation, and the control mechanisms.

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  • Received 19 August 2011

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.108.063002

© 2012 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

I. Znakovskaya1, P. von den Hoff2, G. Marcus1,3, S. Zherebtsov1, B. Bergues1, X. Gu1, Y. Deng1, M. J. J. Vrakking4, R. Kienberger1, F. Krausz1, R. de Vivie-Riedle2, and M. F. Kling1,5

  • 1Max-Planck Institute of Quantum Optics, Hans-Kopfermann-Strasse 1, D-85748 Garching, Germany
  • 2Department für Chemie und Biochemie, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Butenandt-Strasse 11, D-81377 München, Germany
  • 3Department of Applied Physics, The Benin School of Engineering and Computer Science, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, 91904, Israel
  • 4Max-Born-Institut, Max-Born Strasse 2A, D-12489 Berlin, Germany
  • 5J. R. Macdonald Laboratory, Kansas State University, Cardwell Hall 116, Manhattan, Kansas 66506, USA

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Issue

Vol. 108, Iss. 6 — 10 February 2012

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