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Forced molecular rotation in an optical centrifuge
D M Villeneuve1, S A Aseyev, P Dietrich
1National Research Council of Canada, 100 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1A 0R6. david.villeneuve@nrc.ca
Physical Review Letters
|September 16, 2000
Summary
Intense laser light spins chlorine molecules to extreme speeds, causing them to break apart. This research demonstrates ultrafast molecular rotation and dissociation using femtosecond laser pulses.
Area of Science:
- Molecular physics
- Quantum chemistry
- Laser science
Background:
- Linearly polarized light exerts a dipole force on anisotropic molecules, aligning them with the field.
- Molecular rotation can be induced and controlled by manipulating the light polarization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the dynamics of molecular rotation induced by intense laser fields.
- To achieve and study ultrafast molecular spinning using femtosecond laser technology.
- To explore the effects of high angular momentum on molecular stability and dissociation.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing femtosecond laser pulses to induce and control molecular rotation.
- Accelerating the rotation rate of chlorine molecules from 0 to 6 THz within 50 picoseconds.
- Observing molecular behavior at high angular momentum states (J ≈ 420).
Main Results:
- Chlorine molecules were spun to unprecedented angular velocities.
- The induced rotation reached states with angular momentum J ≈ 420.
- At the highest spinning rates, the molecular bond of chlorine was observed to break, leading to dissociation.
Conclusions:
- Femtosecond laser technology enables the control of molecular rotation at extremely high rates.
- Ultrafast molecular spinning can lead to bond breaking and dissociation.
- This study provides insights into molecular dynamics under intense light fields and the limits of molecular stability.