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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 11, 2026

Spatial Separation of Molecular Conformers and Clusters
10:37

Spatial Separation of Molecular Conformers and Clusters

Published on: January 9, 2014

Holding and spinning molecules in space.

Simon S Viftrup1, Vinod Kumarappan, Sebastian Trippel

  • 1Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Aarhus, DK 8000, Aarhus C, Denmark.

Physical Review Letters
|October 13, 2007
PubMed
Summary

We demonstrate a laser technique to control polyatomic molecule rotations in 3D space. This method uses two laser pulses to align and then rotate molecules, enabling new research in complex molecular manipulation.

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Direct Imaging of Laser-driven Ultrafast Molecular Rotation
10:52

Direct Imaging of Laser-driven Ultrafast Molecular Rotation

Published on: February 4, 2017

Area of Science:

  • Molecular physics
  • Laser science
  • Quantum chemistry

Background:

  • Controlling molecular motion is crucial for advanced chemical research.
  • Previous methods had limitations in achieving precise 3D control over molecular rotations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop and demonstrate a novel laser-based method for controlling the three-dimensional rotations of polyatomic molecules.
  • To achieve strong, periodic, and controllable 3D alignment of molecules using tailored laser pulses.

Main Methods:

  • Utilizing a linearly polarized nanosecond laser pulse to align the most polarizable molecular axis.
  • Employing an orthogonally polarized femtosecond laser pulse to induce controlled rotation around the aligned axis.
  • Combining experimental and theoretical approaches to validate the control method.

Main Results:

  • Achieved strong three-dimensional (3D) molecular alignment shortly after femtosecond pulse application.
  • Observed periodic repetition of alignment, indicating coherent revolution about the molecular axis.
  • Demonstrated precise control over molecular rotations in 3D space.

Conclusions:

  • The developed laser-based method effectively controls polyatomic molecule rotations in 3D.
  • This technique opens new avenues for research involving orientationally confined complex molecules.
  • The findings have implications for fields requiring precise molecular manipulation and control.