We use nonlinear optimal control simulation to systematically examine how to suppress wave-packet spreading with strong nonresonant near-infrared (NIR) laser pulses through a case study of a vibrational wave packet in the $B$ state of ${\mathrm{I}}_2$. As the degree of spreading of the vibrational wave packet is controllable by adjusting the pump pulse shape, the vibrational wave packet may be regarded as a prototype system to study spreading suppression by using nonresonant laser pulses. We quantitatively define spreading suppression in terms of the probability of finding the wave packet in the analytically defined, initially excited state at every vibrational period. From optimal control simulation and simulation by using model Gaussian pulse trains that mimic optimal pulses, we conclude that a simple periodic NIR pulse train without highly tuned temporal widths, amplitudes, or irradiation timings can almost perfectly stop the wave-packet spreading over a long control period, provided that the degree of spreading is not too large.

• Received 15 April 2021
• Accepted 26 August 2021

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.104.033107