Non-resonant Intense Laser Field Research Articles

Photon angular momentum approximations for molecular collisions in an intense nonresonant laser field

We consider the problem of photon angular momentum approximation for molecular collisions in an intense nonresonant laser field. A couple of orientation averaging schemes are proposed for dealing with the absence of rotational invariance in the full (inclusive of photon angular momentum) dynamical equations. Application of the schemes is made for reactive laser switching between a pair of one-dimensional potential curves which are free to rotate in space. The preferred scheme of the two depends upon there being only a single initial or final state of interest but both are very effective over the range of intensities examined. A third approximation scheme which essentially blots out photon angular momentum effects is less satisfactory.

A simple model study of reactive collisions in an intense nonresonant laser field

A simple model study of laser induced transitions between electronic surfaces in reactive molecular collisions has been undertaken. The investigation is characterized by laser and nonadiabatic couplings which are turned on during the course of a collision. Transition probabilities are determined within an exact quantum-mechanical framework, for switching between the model one-dimensional potential curves as a function of various system parameters. Such parameters include the photon energy, the reactant collision energy, and the coordinate separation between the positions of potential barrier maxima. The processes studied involve not only laser switching but, also, cooperative laser and nonadiabatic effects. A number of features of the results are emphasized.