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arXiv · 1212.2862

Impulsive Laser Induced Alignment of Molecules Dissolved in Helium Nanodroplets

Dominik Pentlehner·Jens H. Nielsen·Alkwin Slenczka·Klaus Mølmer·Henrik Stapelfeldt
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Abstract

We show that a 450 fs nonresonant, moderately intense, linearly polarized laser pulse can induce field-free molecular axis alignment of methyliodide molecules dissolved in a helium nanodroplet. Time-resolved measurements reveal rotational dynamics much slower than that of isolated molecules and, surprisingly, complete absence of the sharp transient alignment recurrences characteristic of gas phase molecules. Our results presage a range of new opportunities for exploring both molecular dynamics in a dissipative environment and the properties of He nanodroplets.

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Dominik Pentlehner, Jens H. Nielsen, Alkwin Slenczka, Klaus Mølmer, Henrik Stapelfeldt. 2012-12-12. Impulsive Laser Induced Alignment of Molecules Dissolved in Helium Nanodroplets. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevlett.110.093002

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