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Controlling Autler-Townes Splitting of the K2 Molecule with Quantum Light.
Zhaopeng Sun1, Xiaoxiao Long2,3,4, Yunquan Liu2,3,4
1School of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Ludong University, Yantai 264025, China.
The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters
|May 29, 2026
Summary
Quantum light significantly alters Autler-Townes splitting (ATS) in K2 molecules. Bright squeezed vacuum (BSV) light shows higher splitting efficiency than classical light, impacting molecular control.
Area of Science:
- Quantum optics
- Molecular spectroscopy
- Strong light-matter interactions
Background:
- Autler-Townes splitting (ATS) is a key phenomenon in strong light-matter interaction.
- It involves the splitting of photoelectron energy spectra under strong electromagnetic fields.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate Autler-Townes Splitting (ATS) in K2 molecules using quantum light.
- Analyze triple splitting structures from three-photon ionization under various quantum light fields.
Main Methods:
- Numerical solution of the time-dependent Schrödinger equation.
- Simulation of ATS dynamics under bright squeezed vacuum (BSV), phase-squeezed coherent (PSC), and amplitude-squeezed coherent (ASC) light.
- Comparison with coherent-state (classical) light drive.
Main Results:
- ATS dynamics are sensitive to the squeezing parameter of quantum light.
- Quantum light modifies subband structures and splitting magnitudes compared to classical light.
- Bright squeezed vacuum (BSV) pulses demonstrate higher splitting efficiency than classical pulses at equivalent mean intensity.
Conclusions:
- Quantum light, particularly BSV, offers enhanced control over Autler-Townes splitting in molecules.
- This research has implications for ultrafast coherent control of molecular reactions using quantum light.
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