Düsseldorf 2007 – scientific programme

Parts | Days | Selection | Search | Downloads | Help

SYFM: Symposium Quantenkontrolle funktionaler Moleküle

SYFM 2: Quantum control of functional molecules II

SYFM 2.3: Invited Talk

Wednesday, March 21, 2007, 17:30–18:00, 6C

Physical mechanism of quantum control: ultrafast, robust and efficient by tailored intense resonant femtosecond laser pulses — •Matthias Wollenhaupt, Tim Bayer, Cristian Sarpe-Tudoran, and Thomas Baumert — Universität Kassel, Institut für Physik und CINSaT, Heinrich-Plett-Str. 40, D-34132 Kassel, Germany

The success of optimal control strategies in controlling chemical reaction dynamics with tailored light pulses is contrasted by our limited understanding of the underlying physical processes. However, new perspectives for quantum control of functional molecules open up due to the uncommon molecular dynamics induced by shaped resonant intense pulses. In this contribution the physical mechanism of quantum control using resonant ultrashort optimal pulses is investigated on model systems (atoms and small molecules [1,2]). Switching among different final electronic states is realized by Selective Population of Dressed States (SPODS). In the experiment high selectivity of the dressed state population (more than 90%) is demonstrated. Because we achieve tunability of dressed state energies in the range of several hundred meV, our approach is attractive for control of functional molecules. SPODS proceeds within a few optical cycles. Therefore our strategy might be operative in the presence of decoherence processes as well. Our approach is general, because resonant control scenarios - as demonstrated here - will become increasingly important as shorter and shorter pulses with ultra broad spectra are available.

[1] M. Wollenhaupt et al., Chem Phys Lett 419, 184(2006).

[2] M. Wollenhaupt and T. Baumert, J Photochem Photobiol A 180, 248 (2006).