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Updated: Jun 20, 2026

Direct Imaging of Laser-driven Ultrafast Molecular Rotation
Published on: February 4, 2017
Observation of a 1.9-psec polarization beat
Abstract:
We have observed polarization beats by simultaneously exciting both the D(1) (589.6-nm) and the D(2) (589-nm) lines of sodium in a vapor with a 0.4-psec resonant laser pulse. This impact excitation of both D lines produces two oscillating macroscopic polarizations, which interfere with each other and procedure a beat note at their difference frequency in the intensity of the light emitted from the cell. The beat period of 1.9 psec is the fastest ever observed optically.
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