TY - JOUR
T1 - Colloquium
T2 - Aligning molecules with strong laser pulses
AU - Stapelfeldt, Henrik
AU - Seideman, Tamar
PY - 2003/4
Y1 - 2003/4
N2 - We review the theoretical and experimental status of intense laser alignment - a field at the interface between intense laser physics and chemical dynamics with potential applications ranging from high harmonic generation and nanoscale processing to stereodynamics and control of chemical reactions. After placing the intense laser approach in context with other alignment techniques, we proceed with a discussion of the physics underlying this technique and a description of methods of observing it in the laboratory. The roles played by the laser frequency, the pulse duration, and the system temperature are illustrated numerically and experimentally. Alignment is extended to three-dimensional orientational control, a method of hindering the rotation about all three axes of polyatomic molecules. We conclude with a discussion of potential applications of intense laser alignment.
AB - We review the theoretical and experimental status of intense laser alignment - a field at the interface between intense laser physics and chemical dynamics with potential applications ranging from high harmonic generation and nanoscale processing to stereodynamics and control of chemical reactions. After placing the intense laser approach in context with other alignment techniques, we proceed with a discussion of the physics underlying this technique and a description of methods of observing it in the laboratory. The roles played by the laser frequency, the pulse duration, and the system temperature are illustrated numerically and experimentally. Alignment is extended to three-dimensional orientational control, a method of hindering the rotation about all three axes of polyatomic molecules. We conclude with a discussion of potential applications of intense laser alignment.
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U2 - 10.1103/RevModPhys.75.543
DO - 10.1103/RevModPhys.75.543
M3 - Review article
AN - SCOPUS:0038132263
VL - 75
SP - 543
EP - 557
JO - Reviews of Modern Physics
JF - Reviews of Modern Physics
SN - 0034-6861
IS - 2
ER -