Pulse shaping control of spatially aligned rotational wavepackets of N2 and O2

Abstract

This chapter demonstrates the control on the structure of the laser-induced field-free alignment revivals in diatomic molecules at room temperature. It is possible to control the structure of the revivals using pulses with a modified temporal structure. Control on the structure is shown through the revivals in N2 and O2 at room temperature—enhancement of alignment at the expense of anti-alignment or vice versa. Alignment refers to a situation where the internuclear axis is preferentially aligned along the direction of the polarization vector of the electric field of the laser. In anti-alignment, the internuclear axis is preferentially aligned on the plane perpendicular to the polarization vector. The results are discussed with reference to theoretical simulations that imply solving the time-dependent Schrodinger equation for a quantum rotor. The control is achieved by temporally shaping the laser field that modifies the excitation of the rotational Raman wavepackets and their subsequent evolution.