Two-center interference in high-order harmonic generation from heteronuclear diatomic molecules
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 5, 2026

A Photonic System for Generating Unconditional Polarization-Entangled Photons Based on Multiple Quantum Interference
Published on: September 5, 2019
Xiaosong Zhu1, Qingbin Zhang, Weiyi Hong
1Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
Abstract:
Two-center interference for heteronuclear diatomic molecules (HeDM) is investigated. The minimum in the high-order harmonic spectrum, as a consequence of the destructive interference, is shifted to lower harmonic orders compared with that in a homonuclear case. This phenomenon is explained by performing phase analysis. It is found that, for an HeDM, the high harmonic spectrum contains information not only on the internuclear separation but also on the properties of the two separate centers, which implies the potential application of estimating the asymmetry of molecules and judging the linear combination of atomic orbitals (LCAO) for the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO). Moreover, the possibility to monitor the evolution of HOMO itself in molecular dynamics is also promised.
Related Concept Videos
2D NMR: Overview of Heteronuclear Correlation Techniques
¹H NMR: Interpreting Distorted and Overlapping Signals
As Δν decreases and the signals move closer, the doublets appear increasingly distorted. The intensities of the inner lines increase at the cost of those of the outer lines as the signals are slanted or...
¹H NMR: Long-Range Coupling
In alkenes, spin information is communicated via σ–π overlap, as seen in allylic (four-bond) and homoallylic (five-bond) couplings. These coupling interactions are stronger when the σ bond is parallel to the alkene π orbitals.
Spin–Spin Coupling: Two-Bond Coupling (Geminal Coupling)
The central atom need not be NMR-active because its electrons are affected by the electron polarization of the spin-active atoms. However, spin information is transmitted less effectively than in one-bond coupling, and 2J values are usually weaker than 1J values. The energy of...
Hybridization of Atomic Orbitals II
Atomic Emission Spectroscopy: Interference

