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arXiv · 0809.2935

Manipulating the torsion of molecules by strong laser pulses

C. B. Madsen·L. B. Madsen·S. S. Viftrup·M. P. Johansson·T. B. Poulsen·L. Holmegaard·V. Kumarappan·K. A. Jorgensen·H. Stapelfeldt
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Abstract

A proof-of-principle experiment is reported, where torsional motion of a molecule, consisting of a pair of phenyl rings, is induced by strong laser pulses. A nanosecond laser pulse spatially aligns the carbon-carbon bond axis, connecting the two phenyl rings, allowing a perpendicularly polarized, intense femtosecond pulse to initiate torsional motion accompanied by an overall rotation about the fixed axis. The induced motion is monitored by femtosecond time-resolved Coulomb explosion imaging. Our theoretical analysis accounts for and generalizes the experimental findings.

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C. B. Madsen, L. B. Madsen, S. S. Viftrup, M. P. Johansson, T. B. Poulsen, L. Holmegaard, V. Kumarappan, K. A. Jorgensen, H. Stapelfeldt. 2009-02-11. Manipulating the torsion of molecules by strong laser pulses. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevlett.102.073007

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