[MOS] October 19, 2010

[Zina Queen]

Seminar on
Modern Optics and Spectroscopy

Field-free molecular orientation
and alignment

Sharly Fleischer, M.I.T.

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

12:00 - 1:00 p.m.

Upon their interaction with a short optical pulse, gas phase linear 
molecules become rotationally excited. This coherent excitation leads 
to the alignment of the molecular axes along the laser polarization 
axis, observed as a periodic angular squeezing governed by  "quantum 
rotational revivals". A short Terahertz pulse results in the 
orientation of  molecular dipoles, thereby breaking the up-down 
symmetry introduced by alignment.  I will present the basics of the 
two interactions both classically and quantum mechanically  and 
discuss some further coherent manipulations they enable, such as the 
induction of unidirectional rotational motion and planar rotation, 
and selective rotational excitation of close molecular species.

Grier Room, MIT Bldg 34-401
Refreshments served after the lecture
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