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Ultrafast Magnetization of a Dense Molecular Gas with an Optical Centrifuge

A. A. Milner, A. Korobenko, and V. Milner
Phys. Rev. Lett. 118, 243201 – Published 16 June 2017
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Abstract

Strong laser-induced magnetization of oxygen gas at room temperature and atmospheric pressure is achieved experimentally on the subnanosecond time scale. The method is based on controlling the electronic spin of paramagnetic molecules by means of manipulating their rotation with an optical centrifuge. Spin-rotational coupling results in a high degree of spin polarization on the order of one Bohr magneton per centrifuged molecule. Owing to the nonresonant interaction with the laser pulses, the demonstrated technique is applicable to a broad class of paramagnetic rotors. Executed in a high-density gas, it may offer an efficient way of generating macroscopic magnetic fields remotely (as shown in this work) and producing a large amount of spin-polarized electrons.

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  • Received 26 December 2016

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.118.243201

© 2017 American Physical Society

Physics Subject Headings (PhySH)

Atomic, Molecular & Optical

Authors & Affiliations

A. A. Milner, A. Korobenko, and V. Milner

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

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Issue

Vol. 118, Iss. 24 — 16 June 2017

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