Spatial asymmetry in the photofragmentation of diatomic molecules using coherent control.

Abstract

A calculation of the spatial distribution of ion emission in the phase-controlled, two-color photodissociation of diatomic molecules in intense, low-frequency laser fields is presented. Using atomic orbitals, we determine the time average of the electronic charge distribution at the critical internuclear separation, the point at which electron localization occurs. We find qualitative agreement with a recent experiment with ${\mathrm{HD}}^{+}$, which shows asymmetry in the counterintuitive direction. We predict that ${\mathrm{H}}_{2}^{+}$ and lower frequencies will give even better agreement. \textcopyright{} 1996 The American Physical Society.