Chapter 16 - Shaped laser pulses acting as photonic reagents

Abstract

Since the earliest days of laser development, a longstanding dream has been to use these special light sources as a means to manipulate atomic- and molecular-scale dynamical events. The concepts of quantum control are central to making the dream a reality. Quantum control refers to the redirection or regulation of quantum dynamical events. Controlling quantum phenomena requires more than just applying an ultrafast laser pulse to a quantum system to produce coherent dynamics. In recent years, great strides have been made in controlling quantum phenomena using tailored laser pulses. These shaped pulses interact with molecules in a manner acting effectively as reagents with fleeting existence, yet they may have a lasting dynamical impact on a molecule or material. This paper discusses the basic concepts of quantum control, especially drawing on the ability to perform massive numbers of closed loop control experiments. Particular attention is given to the prospect of deducing control mechanisms and the introduction of special closed loop control techniques to reveal Hamiltonian information. Recent computations and experiments point to an increasing ability to control and understand quantum systems through closed loop laboratory techniques.