Adiabatic Field-Free Alignment of Asymmetric Top Molecules with an Optical Centrifuge

A. Korobenko and V. Milner
Phys. Rev. Lett. 116, 183001 – Published 5 May 2016

Abstract

We use an optical centrifuge to align asymmetric top SO2 molecules by adiabatically spinning their most polarizable O-O axis. The effective centrifugal potential in the rotating frame confines the sulfur atoms to the plane of the laser-induced rotation, leading to the planar molecular alignment that persists after the molecules are released from the centrifuge. The periodic appearance of the full three-dimensional alignment, typically observed only with linear and symmetric top molecules, is also detected. Together with strong in-plane centrifugal forces, which bend the molecules by up to 10 deg, permanent field-free alignment offers new ways of controlling molecules with laser light.

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  • Received 7 October 2015

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.116.183001

© 2016 American Physical Society

Physics Subject Headings (PhySH)

Atomic, Molecular & Optical

Authors & Affiliations

A. Korobenko* and V. Milner

  • Department of Physics & Astronomy, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver V6T 1Z1, Canada

  • *korobenk@phas.ubc.ca

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Issue

Vol. 116, Iss. 18 — 6 May 2016

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