Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 7, 2026

A Photonic System for Generating Unconditional Polarization-Entangled Photons Based on Multiple Quantum Interference
Published on: September 5, 2019
Polarization state of high-order harmonic emission from aligned molecules
Jérôme Levesque1, Yann Mairesse, Nirit Dudovich
1National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0R6, Canada.
Abstract:
High harmonic emission in isotropic gases is polarized in the same direction as the incident laser polarization. Laser-induced molecular alignment allows us to break the symmetry of the gas medium. By using aligned molecules in high harmonic generation experiments, we show that the polarization of the extreme ultraviolet emission depends strongly on the molecular alignment and the orbital structure. Polarization measurements give insight into the molecular orbital symmetry. Furthermore, molecular alignment will allow us to produce attosecond pulses with time-dependent polarization.
Related Concept Videos
Molecular Orbital Theory II
Molecular Spectroscopy: Absorption and Emission
π Molecular Orbitals of the Allyl Radical
The allyl systems have identical molecular orbitals but differ in the number of π electrons.
UV–Vis Spectroscopy: Molecular Electronic Transitions
π Molecular Orbitals of the Allyl Cation and Anion
π Electron Effects on Chemical Shift: Overview

