Optical control of molecular dynamics: Molecular cannons, reflectrons, and wave-packet focusers

Abstract

We consider the control of molecular dynamics using tailored light fields, based on a phase space theory of control [Y. J. Yan et al., J. Phys. Chem. 97, 2320 (1993)]. This theory enables us to calculate, in the weak field (one-photon) limit, the globally optimal light field that produces the best overlap for a given phase space target. We present as an illustrative example the use of quantum control to overcome the natural tendency of quantum wave packets to delocalize on excited state potential energy curves. Three cases are studied: (i) a ‘‘molecular cannon’’ in which we focus an outgoing continuum wave packet of I2 in both position and momentum, (ii) a ‘‘reflectron’’ in which we focus an incoming bound wave packet of I2, and (iii) the focusing of a bound wave packet of Na2 at a turning point on the excited state potential using multiple light pulses to create a localized wave packet with zero momentum. For each case, we compute the globally optimal light field and also how well the wave packet produced by this light field achieves the desired target. These globally optimal fields are quite simple and robust. While our theory provides the globally optimal light field in the linear, weak field regime, experiment can in reality only provide a restricted universe of possible light fields. We therefore also consider the control of molecular quantum dynamics using light fields restricted to a parametrized functional form which spans a set of fields that can be experimentally realized. We fit the globally optimal electric field with a functional form consisting of a superposition of subpulses with variable parameters of amplitude, center time, center frequency, temporal width, relative phase, and linear and quadratic chirp. The best fit light fields produce excellent quantum control and are within the range of experimental possibility. We discuss relevant experiments such as ultrafast spectroscopy and ultrafast electron and x-ray diffraction which can in principle detect these focused wave packets.