Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 5, 2026

Measurement of Ultrafast Vibrational Coherences in Polyatomic Radical Cations with Strong-Field Adiabatic Ionization
Published on: August 6, 2018
Bifurcations as dissociation mechanism in bichromatically driven diatomic molecules
1Center for Nonlinear Science, School of Physics, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332-0430, USA. gtg098n@mail.gatech.edu
Periodic orbits significantly influence diatomic molecule dissociation under strong laser fields. Analyzing orbit stability accurately predicts dissociation probabilities, highlighting their importance in molecular dynamics.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Physics
- Quantum Chemistry
- Laser-Matter Interactions
Background:
- Diatomic molecules are fundamental systems for studying chemical dynamics.
- Laser fields can induce complex molecular behaviors, including dissociation.
- Understanding dissociation pathways is crucial for controlling chemical reactions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of periodic orbits in the dissociation of a model diatomic molecule.
- To analyze how laser field parameters affect dissociation through periodic orbit stability.
- To establish the predictive power of periodic orbits for molecular dissociation dynamics.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of periodic orbit stability in a model diatomic molecule system.
- Variation of laser field parameters (amplitudes, phase lag) to study dissociation probability.
- Comparison of results with direct numerical simulations of molecular dissociation.
Main Results:
- Periodic orbits were found to be key influencers of molecular dissociation.
- Qualitative dissociation features were reproduced by examining a limited set of short periodic orbits.
- Bifurcations of short periodic orbits were identified as critical to dissociation dynamics.
Conclusions:
- Periodic orbits offer a powerful tool for understanding and predicting molecular dissociation.
- The stability and bifurcations of short periodic orbits are crucial for diatomic molecule dynamics.
- This approach provides insights into controlling molecular dissociation using laser fields.
Related Concept Videos
¹H NMR: Complex Splitting
Splitting diagrams or splitting tree diagrams are routinely used to depict such complex couplings. While drawing splitting diagrams, the splitting with the larger coupling constant is usually applied first.
Molecular Orbital Theory II
Radical Formation: Homolysis
Hybridization of Atomic Orbitals I
Molecular Shape and Polarity
Resonance

